Ronald Koeman has resigned as Holland head coach following their World Cup exit
Ronald Koeman has stepped down as Netherlands head coach after their World Cup exit.(Image: (Photo by Hector Vivas – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images))
Ronald Koeman has resigned as the Netherlands head coach following their World Cup exit. The 63-year-old has stepped down in the aftermath of their penalty shootout defeat to Morocco.
Oranje saw their hopes of ending their wait to win at the prestigious international tournament dashed after missing three spot-kicks in their spot-kick heartache against the FIFA-ranked seventh nation in the world. Cody Gakpo had given Holland the lead with 18 minutes remaining but Fulham defender Issa Diop levelled in stoppage-time for the Moroccans.
Justin Kluivert and Quinten Timber failed to test Yassine Bounou from 12 yards while the Al-Hilal shot-stopper made a superb reflex save to deny Manchester United target Crysencio Summerville. The Africa Cup of Nations finalists missed two efforts from the spot but Ismael Saibari, who looks set to join Harry Kane at Bayern Munich, scored the winning penalty.
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Koeman broke the news on Instagram, where he explained that the manner of the resignation in his second stint in charge “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 becomes the latest, and fifth, managerial casualty during this summer’s World Cup, joining Scotland head coach Steve Clarke to have left their role of the national team.
The former Everton and Southampton boss was in his second spell in charge of the national team but remained coy on his future after the disappointment 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.”
Former Liverpool head coach Arne Slot could be set for a return to management as he takes up the premier position in Dutch football. One ex-Anfield boss could also be in the opposition dugout with Jurgen Klopp reportedly open to replacing Julian Nagelsmann in the Germany hot-seat.
Nagelsmann is under increasing pressure after the Germans crashed out of the World Cup in a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay. The spot-kick exit ended a miserable campaign for Die Mannschaft where they were less than convincing, despite putting minnows Curacao to the sword in their group opener.
