Dutch football captain Mark van Bommel is stepping down to make way for a ‘younger generation’, the 35-year-old says on the Dutch football association website.

Van Bommel, who has 79 caps for Oranje and will play at PSV next season, says he is not formally retiring from international soccer.
‘There may come a moment when the national coach may call on me again,’ he said. ‘And I want to be there for him. The Dutch team is very important to me but the time is ripe for talented younger players who must now develop at the highest level.’
The Dutch squad was knocked out of the ongoing Euro 2012 championship after failing to win a single point.