Bert van Marwijk has stepped down as Netherlands coach after his team’s first round elimination from the European football championships, the Dutch Football Federation (KNVB) announced on Wednesday night.

A statement on the KNVB’s website said: “On the initiative of Bert van Marwijk, the KNVB and Bert van Marwijk decided on Wednesday to end the coach’s contract with immediate effect.”

The 60-year-old former Feyenoord and Borussia Dortmund coach took over the national side in 2008 and his contract had been due to run until the 2016 European Championship.

His resignation follows a disappointing Euro 2012 campaign, in which the Oranje, who arrived in Poland and the Ukraine among the tournament favourites after finishing runners-up to Spain at the 2010 World Cup, were knocked out at the group stage.

Van Marwijk said that he felt “responsible” after the team lost all three of their matches to Group B rivals Germany, Denmark and Portugal to finish bottom of the table without a point.

“I have severe doubts, but have decided to take this step anyway,” Van Marwijk said in a statement.

Under his guidance the Oranje had lost just four of 45 matches.

The head of the KNVB, Bert van Oostveen, told reporters: “The KNVB are grateful to Van Marwijk.

“He has performed exceptionally well in the World Cup finals and took them to first place in the FIFA rankings.

“I had a good feeling about our co-operation. Of course it is sad to part early, but we must be realistic.”

Since winning the European title in 1988, the Netherlands have reached the semi-finals three times and have twice been quarter-finalists.