Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf pulled out of the Netherlands squad after finding it difficult to work under coach Marco van Basten.

The Dutch football association said that Seedorf had called Van Basten to inform him he would not accept an invitation to the definitive squad for the European Championship.

Meanwhile, Van Basten said that he was surprised at the announcement and that he hadn’t expected it.

Seedorf has won 87 caps, scoring 11 goals. He featured in the three previous European championships and the World Cup in France but had a spell out of the team before being recalled.

“It is a decision that comes after serious consideration and months of reflection,” explained Seedorf.

He added that, since his return to the national team, the right conditions have not been created to let him perform at his best and excel as the team member he strives to be.

Furthermore, Mark van Bommel said earlier that he would not join the squad under Van Basten, who will be stepping down after the tournament to take over Ajax.

However, Seedorf also said he had taken the decision for the good of the team and made himself available for new coach Bert van Marwijk following the tournament.

“We have seen from the past that some negative issues with the national team are recurring. I had hoped that lessons would have been learnt from past experiences,” he said.

“I am disappointed that this has not been the case.”