Declining Dutch give Blind the boot

AMSTERDAM - Danny Blind was fired as Netherlands coach on Sunday after a 2-0 loss to Bulgaria left the team's chances of reaching the World Cup finals hanging by the thinnest of threads.

Blind, 55, had been in charge since July 2015, succeeding Guus Hiddink, but Saturday's loss in Sofia left the Dutch in fourth place in qualifying Group A, six points behind leader France.

Only the group winner is guaranteed a place at next year's finals in Russia.