Ronald Koeman (59) is returning to the Dutch national team and will replace Bondscoach Louis van Gaal, who has fallen ill, after the World Cup in Qatar. The three-time World Cup runner-up made the announcement on Wednesday.
Koeman will receive a contract until 2026. He had already coached Oranje from February 2018 until mid-2020, but then left for FC Barcelona. He was dismissed there last October. Van Gaal had made it public a few days ago that he was suffering from prostate cancer.
Koeman stressed that he had “not left the Elftal out of dissatisfaction” and wanted to “continue the successful path”. According to the association, the fact that he will replace van Gaal has nothing to do with his illness. Rather, van Gaal’s contract ends with the coming World Cup, Koeman had therefore already been contacted in January.
“It’s a very sensible decision,” van Gaal (70) said of his heir: “A year ago I was the only candidate available with the necessary qualifications, now it’s Ronald Koeman.”
The Dutch face hosts Qatar, Ecuador and Senegal in World Cup Group A. With the match against the African champions, Oranje will enter the World Cup finals on 21 November (11 am).
