Iconic Prem supervisor quits nationwide crew simply months earlier than World Cup after well being scare
A former Premier League boss has quit his position as a national team manager just months out from the World Cup.
Dick Advocaat, 78, has stepped down as Curacao boss ahead of their historic World Cup debut in the summer to provide care for his daughter.
The vastly experienced coach, who kept Sunderland in the top-flight in 2015 and has managed the likes of Rangers, Fenerbahce and the Netherlands in three different spells, will provide care for his daughter after it was reported by Dutch outlet AD that she is ‘experiencing serious health problems’.
(Image: Getty Images)
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In a brief statement, Advocaat said: “I’ve always said that family comes before football. This is therefore a natural decision.
“That said, I will greatly miss Curacao, its people, and my colleagues. I consider qualifying the smallest nation in the world for the World Cup one of the highlights of my career. I am proud of my players, staff and board members who believed in us.”
Advocaat has been replaced by fellow Dutchman Fred Rutten in the dugout ahead of the country’s first ever World Cup.
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“I consider it an honour to continue his work,” Rutten said. “I will continue in his line. This is sad for Dick, but Curacao can expect the same commitment from me.”
The 150,000 population island smaller than the Isle of Man will become the smallest nation to play in the tournament, taking the previous record from Iceland in 2018.
However, Advocaat also missed the decisive World Cup qualifying match against Jamaica in Kingston last November to return home to be with his ill wife.
Curacao have been drawn against Germany, Ecuador and the Ivory Coast in the summer’s tournament and Advocaat had already decided to base the team at Boca Raton, near Miami.
He also previously told his players, including former Premier League stars Tahith Chong, Jurgen Locadia, Juninho and Leandro Bacuna, to enjoy the experience of playing at the World Cup.
