THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS: The same Netherlands team that humiliated Spain early in last year's World Cup is fading — and fading fast.

After losses to Turkey and Iceland over the last few days, the Dutch are on the brink of missing out on next year's European Championship in France — a tournament expanded to accommodate 24 teams.

The Netherlands lineup that lost to Iceland 1-0 at home on Thursday and then 3-0 at Turkey on Sunday is virtually unchanged from the one that overwhelmingly defeated the defending World Cup champions 5-1 last year in Brazil and ended up finishing third.

Many are blaming the coaching staff.

After his World Cup campaign, Louis van Gaal — known for ruling his teams with an iron fist — moved to Manchester United and was replaced by Guus Hiddink, an experienced and highly successful coach known for a more hands-off relationship with players.

But Hiddink's approach backfired immediately. In his first match in charge, a friendly against Italy, the Dutch conceded two early goals and lost 2-0, setting the tone for a short and unsuccessful second stint in charge.

Hiddink repeatedly saw his team give away early goals and then struggle to recover. His contract was soon terminated.

Danny Blind — with two losses in his first two matches since replacing Hiddink — has not been able to overturn the slide. He now has to rely on Turkey dropping points in its last two matches for the Dutch to stand any chance of securing third place in Group A and a playoff berth.