New Dutch coach De Boer must prove doubters wrong

De Boer, 50, took over last month from Koeman, who left to join Barcelona, and will make his debut on Wednesday when the Dutch host Mexico in a friendly followed by two Nations League games away to Bosnia on Sunday and Italy three days later.

His appointment brought a mixed reaction despite the former defender’s fine playing career with 112 games and five major tournaments for his country before coaching Ajax Amsterdam to a record four straight league titles from 2011-2014.

De Boer’s subsequent unsuccesful managerial spells at Inter Milan, Crystal Palace and Atlanta United in the MLS tarnished his reputation and left many pundits openly wondering whether he was the right man to replace Koeman.

Then Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho called him the worst manager in Premier League history after De Boer spent just 77 days in charge at Selhurst Park in the league’s shortest-ever managerial tenure.