Ronald Koeman quits as Netherlands boss as World Cup assertion issued
Ronald Koeman has resigned as the Netherlands head coach following their World Cup exit, with the 63-year-old stepping down in the aftermath of their penalty shootout defeat to Morocco
Ronald Koeman has resigned as Holland manager.(Image: FIFA via Getty Images)
Ronald Koeman has stepped down as the Netherlands head coach following their World Cup elimination. The 63-year-old has quit in the wake of their penalty shootout loss to Morocco.
The Dutch witnessed their dreams of ending their drought at the coveted international competition crushed after fluffing three penalties in their spot-kick agony against the FIFA-ranked seventh nation globally. Cody Gakpo had put Holland ahead with 18 minutes left but Fulham defender Issa Diop equalised in added time for the Moroccans.
Justin Kluivert and Quinten Timber failed to trouble Yassine Bounou from 12 yards while the Al-Hilal goalkeeper produced a brilliant instinctive stop to thwart Manchester United target Crysencio Summerville.
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The Africa Cup of Nations finalists squandered two attempts from the penalty spot but Ismael Saibari, who appears destined to link up with Harry Kane at Bayern Munich, netted the decisive penalty.
Koeman announced the news on Instagram, where he revealed that the nature of his departure in his second spell at the helm “hurts”. He said: “Last night, I made the decision to conclude my tenure as head coach of the Dutch national team. When I look back on my career, I feel primarily pride and gratitude.
“I have had the privilege of working at Vitesse, Ajax, Benfica, PSV, Valencia, AZ, Feyenoord, Southampton, Everton, FC Barcelona, and of course, two spells with Oranje. Clubs and people who have shaped me and given me memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
“That is precisely why it hurts that my time with Oranje ends this way. We all dreamed of a World Cup in which we would make history. That did not happen. No one is more disappointed about that than I am. As head coach, you bear that responsibility. I have always felt it and will always continue to feel it.
“I am saying goodbye with mixed feelings. Of course, I would have preferred to conclude my time with Oranje with a world title. Unfortunately, that dream remained unfulfilled. But above all, pride prevails. Pride in everything football has brought me, in the people I have met, and in the fact that I have been able to turn my greatest passion into my profession.”
Koeman joins the growing list of managerial casualties during this summer’s World Cup, becoming the fifth boss to depart their national team role alongside Scotland head coach Steve Clarke.
The former Everton and Southampton manager was serving his second stint in charge of the Dutch side but kept his cards close to his chest regarding his future following the crushing blow in Mexico.
He said: “No, I haven’t. I’m going to reflect on my future. This is straight after a game and the disappointment is so fresh in your mind. I’m going to reflect on it and maybe I’ll come to a conclusion by tomorrow morning.”
Ex-Liverpool head coach Arne Slot could be poised for a managerial comeback as he steps into the top job in Dutch football. Another former Anfield gaffer might also be found in the opposing dugout, with Jurgen Klopp reportedly considering replacing Julian Nagelsmann in the Germany role.
Nagelsmann is facing mounting pressure after the Germans were knocked out of the World Cup following a penalty shootout loss to Paraguay. The spot-kick departure concluded a disappointing campaign for Die Mannschaft, where they failed to impress, despite thrashing minnows Curacao in their group opener.
