Marco van Basten’s managerial style is having mixed results at Ajax. Photograph: Michael Kooren/Reuters
Give a Dutchman a choice and he will say no. It’s in his inherent nature to question and resist. The refusal in the Netherlands’ first ever referendum, when the European Constitution was voted down in 2005, surprised few and confirmed why we [...]

Groningen coach Ron Jans with defender Ondrej Svejdik. Photograph: AFP
It wasn’t terribly long ago that FC Groningen were tap-dancing on the brink of bankruptcy. They wobbled and nearly fell into the abyss before being forced to go hat-in-hand to rich backers in order to pay players’ wages. But if Groningen were to look down today, [...]

McClaren has endured a difficult start to life with FC Twente. Photograph: Phil Cole/Getty Images
Welcome to the real world, Steve. The real world where you’re not saddled with such burdensome decisions as picking between John Terry and Jamie Carragher at centre-back; where you can’t simply ostracise one of your best players, David Beckham, because you’re [...]