Ronald Koeman resigns as Netherlands national team coach following World Cup resignation
Ronald Koeman has resigned as coach of the Netherlands national team following their defeat at the World Cup. (Image: (Photo by Hector Vivas – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images))
Ronald Koeman has resigned as Netherlands national team coach following his resignation from the World Cup. The 63-year-old resigned following the penalty shootout defeat against Morocco.
The Orange’s hopes of winning the prestigious international tournament were dashed after they missed three spot-kicks against the country ranked seventh in the world by FIFA. Kodi Gakpo’s goal with 18 minutes remaining gave the Netherlands the lead, but Fulham defender Issa Diop equalized in stoppage time.
Justin Kluivert and Quinten Timber failed to test Yassin Bouno from 12 yards, but the Al Hilal shot-stopper made a brilliant reflex save to deny Manchester United’s Chrisencio Somerville a goal. The African Cup of Nations finalists missed two penalties, but Ismael Saibari, who will join Harry Kane at Bayern Munich, converted the winning penalty.
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Koeman broke the news on Instagram, explaining that it was “hurtful” how he resigned during his second spell. “Last night I made the decision to end my tenure as head coach of the Dutch national team. When I look back on my career, I feel above all pride and gratitude,” he said.
“I had the opportunity to work at Vitesse, Ajax, Benfica, PSV, Valencia, Arizona, Feyenoord, Southampton, Everton, FC Barcelona. And of course, I spent two years at Oranje. Clubs and people who shaped me and gave me memories that I will cherish forever.
“That’s why I’m sad that my time with Oranje has ended in this way. We all dreamed of a historic World Cup and it didn’t happen. No one is more disappointed in that than me. As a head coach, you have that responsibility. I have always felt that and will continue to feel that.”
“It is with mixed feelings that I say goodbye. Of course, I would have liked to have ended my time at Orange with a world title. Unfortunately, that dream was not fulfilled. But above all, pride prevails. I am proud of everything that football has given me, the people I have met and the fact that I was able to turn my greatest passion into my profession.”
Koeman becomes the fifth managerial casualty during this summer’s World Cup, following Scotland head coach Steve Clarke, and the first to step down from a national team role.
The former Everton and Southampton manager is in his second year in charge of the national team but has remained tight-lipped about his future after the disappointment in Mexico.
“No, I’m not thinking about it. I’m going to think about my future. This is right after the match and the disappointment is very fresh in your mind. I’ll think about it and maybe by tomorrow morning I’ll come to a conclusion.”
Wout Weghorst shed tears after the Netherlands’ shocking World Cup exit. (Image: FIFA via Getty Images)
Former Liverpool head coach Arne Slott has taken the top job in Dutch football and could return to management. Jurgen Klopp is reportedly prepared to replace Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann, and one of the former Anfield managers could end up in the opposition dugout.
Nagelsmann has been under increasing pressure after Germany lost to Paraguay on penalties and was eliminated from the World Cup. The spot-kick sending off ended a disastrous run for Die Mannschaft, who lacked a convincing performance despite facing diminutive Curaçao in their opening group game.
