Arjen Robben warned the Football Association they must make a quick decision over the next England manager after his brilliant double fired the Netherlands to a 3-2 friendly win at Wembley.
Robben's superb solo effort opened the scoring for the Dutch in Wednesday's friendly and his majestic strike in stoppage time condemned England to their first defeat since November 2010 after Stuart Pearce's side had fought back from two goals down.
England caretaker manager Pearce hardly boosted his credentials to replace Fabio Capello, who resigned last month, with a disjointed display, but the FA board are still no closer to appointing a successor to the Italian.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp remains the favourite for the job and, with only four months before England travel to Poland and the Ukraine for Euro 2012, Bayern Munich winger Robben believes the FA need to get their new boss in place soon so he has time to get his plans in place.
"There is always some excitement and drama with England," Robben said. "Of course it is very important (for the manager) to work with a team and build on it.
"I think quite a few players were missing (against the Netherlands)). They have great potential. They have great individual players."
Former Chelsea star Robben learned all about the endless soap operas created by the England team after his successful spell at Stamford Bridge, but he remains a firm admirer of the English game.
Some are beginning to doubt the quality of England's players and point to the poor showing in the Champions League this season.
With Manchester United and Manchester City already out and Chelsea and Arsenal facing tough last 16 second leg assignments, there is a real chance of all four Premier League clubs bowing out of the Champions League before the quarter-finals for the first time in 16 years.
But Robben doesn't agree. "At the moment in the Champions League you see some teams having difficulties. But I think it is still a strong league and I had a great time here," he said.
"It was great to be back in England, great to be back here at Wembley. It was lovely to play against England and it was a good game."
Source: AFP
