Davids hits out at Van Basten

Edgar Davids has written an open letter criticising Holland coach Marco van Basten after the veteran Tottenham midfielder was left out of his World Cup squad.

The letter, which was published in Voetbal International magazine, slammed Van Basten for showing “a lack of personal class” over his handling of the squad’s announcement.

“I find that Van Basten has crossed a line in terms of respect and good manners,” Davids said in the letter.

“With his remarks he shows a lack of personal class. Especially because this does not seem to be a single incident.

“In the past, he also spoke arrogantly about other players with a successful international career. A national team coach should not do that.

“Although I had many reasons to criticise the choices that Van Basten made, I found it inappropriate to do that in public.

“But now that the coach finds it necessary to justify his sometimes-peculiar actions by attacking me, I am forced to react.

“I have, by the way, waited to give a reaction in the hope that Van Basten would have called me with an explanation. But I have heard nothing.”

Davids’ outburst comes after Van Basten said that he would not pick the 33-year-old midfielder again. That appears to have effectively ended Davids’ international career.

In his letter, Davids also expressed doubts about Van Basten’s qualities as a coach, and insists the Dutch side’s early exit from the World Cup came as no surprise to many in the Netherlands.

He said: “The choices he has made look to be partly based on romance and idealism. It lacked the necessary realism though. Holland’s failure during the World Cup was a surprise for the coach, as he showed.

“But, for many others, especially outside Holland where they do not let charm and personal sympathy hinder their judgement, these shortcomings were predictable.”

The Dutch football association (KNVB) say they have no intention of responding to the letter.