How Guus Hiddink Can Develop the Netherlands into Euro 2016 Contenders

At the World Cup in Brazil, the Netherlands were relatively successful. Under the leadership of Louis van Gaal, they reached third place—a much better result than most expected ahead of the tournament. 

But Van Gaal has moved on to Manchester United, and Oranje must make a fresh start under new manager Guus Hiddink. 

As became apparent during the Netherlands' international friendly against Italy last week, this might not be easy. 

The Dutch, who never looked like beating the Azzurri, lined up in a new formation and didn't quite seem to jell.

Obviously, there is still a lot of work to be done for Hiddink. All is not lost, though. For all the Netherlands' shortcomings, there is a lot of potential in the squad as well. 

Here, we take a look at three things Hiddink must do to develop the Netherlands into serious Euro 2016 contenders.

At club level, they have won domestic league titles and continental cups. 

With their country, they reached the final of the World Cup once, and the semi-final four years later. 

Now that they're in their 30s, there's the risk they won't be hungry enough to motivate themselves ahead of Euro 2016. 

In order to be a contender, however, Hiddink will need his two star men upfront. Without Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie, the Dutch squad would be all talent, but no experience. 

An important aspect of Hiddink's reign will be the way he manages Robben and Van Persie. If he can convince these two players to give it their all one more time, Oranje might just stand a chance. 

Some critics thought the Netherlands played very well during the World Cup in Brazil. 

Others claimed Oranje weren't really that good, despite eventually reaching third place.

There was consensus about one thing, though. Throughout the tournament, the Dutch were 100 percent motivated, playing each and every match as if their lives depended on it. 

All in all, that might just be manager Louis van Gaal's main strength. If you want to play for the strict Dutch boss, you better be willing to give it your all.

This attitude seemed to make the Dutch players reach new heights and play with bags of confidence. 

In order to stand a chance at winning Euro 2016, Hiddink—who seems much more laid back than his predecessor—must instill a similar sense of conviction. 

Left-winger Memphis Depay made something of a breakthrough during the World Cup. 

Coming off the bench as a substitute, the PSV man scored two important goals and delivered an assist. Now back at his club, he is currently lighting up the Dutch Eredivisie.

In midfield, fellow PSV man Georginio Wijnaldum was equally important, usually pairing up with Nigel de Jong to provide some stability behind the more advanced playmaker Wesley Sneijder.

But good doesn't equal world class. In order to really become constitutive, the likes of Depay and Wijnaldum will have to make the next step. 

Playing alongside Robben and Van Persie, Depay could become part of a lethal trio upfront. Meanwhile Wijnaldum could become Sneijder's replacement as No. 10. 

If Hiddink can manage to develop the two PSV men into world-beaters over the next two years, the Netherlands' chances will increase dramatically.