Blange, a member of the Dutch team that won the Olympic gold medal in Atlanta in 1996, has been under pressure since they·missed the qualification for the 2010 FIVB World Championship in Italy.

They also failed to qualify for 2011 EuroVolley in Austria and Czech Republic.

The Dutch Volleyball Federation have now joined the 2011 CEV European League, which will provide them a chance to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics.

Blange had been appointed in 2006 after winning three Dutch titles with Nesselande.

The team failed to qualify for the Beijing Olympics in 2008 but he was given another opportunity.

Blange, who also won a silver medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and made more than internatinal 500 appearances, acknowledged the lack of progress that the squad had made under his guidance.

"I am proud that I could contribute to the development that the national team and our players have been going through," said the 46-year-old.

"However, I am also partially responsible for the lack of satisfactory results.

"I am sorry that I could not finish my job but taking into consideration that the Federation has amended its plans for the next years, we agreed upon the right step."

Bert Goedkoop, the technical director of the Dutch Volleyball Federation, remained optimistic that the team could still qualify for London.

"The potential of our national teams as well as of our youngsters is great," he said.

"A well thought out but also realistic and fully supported programme will make sure that our men's national team gradually returns back to the place where it belongs, namely to the international elite, but this takes time."