So you want to be a big-time soccer coach?
There is blood on the ground all over Europe in the wake of Euro 2004 with the semi-finals still to be played. Coaches have been dismissed in Spain, Italy and Germany after their teams failed to live up to expectations, and French coach Jacques Santini was on his way out before the tournament began.
And while you might think that the four coaches whose teams are still in the fight for the title should be safe, think again.
Fan and media indignation in the Netherlands has Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, whose team faces Portugal today, seriously examining his employment opportunities.
Advocaat, under contract until 2006, has been under fire from home and the tone and intensity of the criticism offends him.
Advocaat may have deserved a bit of scolding when he replaced the attacking Arjen Robben with defensive midfielder Paul Bosvelt during the Netherlands' 3-2 loss against the Czech Republic in the preliminary round, though it should be noted that when Advocaat made the move, his team was ahead 2-1. But the reaction in the Netherlands has been out of proportion.
Even as the Dutch recovered from that defeat and have earned their way into today's semi-final, the hue and cry has Advocaat dropping hints that he will choose to resign at the end of the tournament, whether that's today or after the final Sunday.
"Things have happened that should not have happened," he said. "Borders have been crossed. Things have happened that have taken away my joy in the job. Criticism is part of the job but when they try to break someone, I don't understand."
Most offensive was an opinion expressed by ex-player turned TV commentator Jan Mulder, perhaps spoken tongue-in-cheek but in poor taste in any case, that Advocaat should be "stoned or hanged." That was just one voice among a persistent crowd. Still, while most of the European super-powers will be watching from the comfort of their homes today, the Netherlands plays on.
"I am very proud that this team that was written off two years ago has got through to the semi-finals after all," Advocaat said. "France, Germany, Italy and Spain cannot say the same."
Neither can England. The Netherlands, ranked by FIFA at No. 5 in the world, is the highest-rated team still alive, ahead of Portugal (No. 22), the Czech Republic (No. 11) and Greece (No. 35).
Lisbon's Jose Alvalade Stadium will be filled with passionate Portuguese supporters today. How Portugal responds to the overwhelming pressure is one of the keys to the game. Four years ago, the Dutch felt the same pressure and were not up to the task, losing in the semi-finals at home.
PRESSURE ON PORTUGAL
"A lot of pressure is on the host team," Advocaat said. "We experienced that ourselves in 2000. It will be an interesting meeting between two attacking teams but the pressure is on them because they really have to do it."
Portugal, which also lost in the semis in 2000, has been knocking on the door for a generation but has not been able to get over the hump in a major tournament. This is Portugal's chance.
The team's iron-fisted coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari -- Big Phil -- has made a significant difference. Scolari has made bold moves, including the taking off of Luis Figo, a national treasure, in the quarters against England, and had them pay handsome benefits. Minutes after Figo left the game in a sulk, his replacement, Helder Postiga, nodded in the tying goal.
Today, Scolari will have another decision to make. Exciting young striker Pauleta is eligible to play, having served a suspension, and that means that Nuno Gomes, so influential against the English, is on the bubble, recovering from a wonky ankle.
Both these teams were eliminated in the 2000 semi-finals. One will suffer that same fate again and the other will be among the last two standing.
And the coaches?
Scolari, in the wake of his team's first victory over arch-rival Spain in the preliminaries, can be coach for life if he chooses.
Advocaat, on the other hand, might just choose life.
