The Dutch football association KNVB is organising a major conference this autumn to assess the state of the Dutch game, with particular focus on youth training, website nu.nl reports.

The association is concerned about the standard of Dutch professional football and of the national team itself, nu.nl says.

‘The gap between the Eredivisie and international football is becoming wider,’ says Bert van Oostveen, head of professional football at the KNVB. ‘We are no longer as good as we were four or five years ago and are sliding down the world rankings.’

In August 2011, Oranje was top of the world rankings but is now in 15^th place. ‘Our task is to define which direction we want to take football over the coming years,’ Van Oostveen said. ‘We want to seize the initiative.’

The conference will involve top level coaches, youth trainers and former players.