JAKARTA - The captain of the Dutch national team, Virgil van Dijk, said he was disappointed with Ronald Koeman's decision to take over as Barcelona coach. Previously, Koeman promised to leave the Dutch national team after Euro 2020.
Van Dijk said that while disappointed, he understood why Koeman had made the decision and added that he was very happy for him.
"We are all disappointed to see a great national team coach leave, but we support him wholeheartedly," Van Dijk said as quoted by Antara, September 1.
"You can ask each player in the squad one by one, everyone will feel it. This is a big dream."
Koeman was appointed as Barca's tactician following Quique Setien's sacking following a humiliating 2-8 Champions League defeat by Bayern Munich.
The decision was taken by the former Barca defender after the quadrennial tournament of the Blue Continent countries was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Koeman chose to accept the opportunity to train Barca and leave the Dutch national team.
"Right now we are living, the era of corona with all the uncertainties that come with it, the European Cup is not one hundred percent certain, if such an opportunity comes, I can understand it."
Van Dijk also revealed that Koeman called him to inform the Liverpool defender of his decision before signing his contract with Barcelona.
Van Dijk also revealed that he did not try to persuade Koeman to stay because he understood the situation from the start.
"I wasn't trying to persuade him to stay at that time. Of course it (joining Barcelona) will happen in the end. Nobody thought it happened so fast, but we are very happy for him. Now we have to move on."
The Dutch Orange Team is currently being led by interim coach Dwight Lodeweges for the Nations League matches against Poland and Italy. Lodeweges has been an assistant to the Dutch national team since 2018 and he is preparing for his first match as coach.
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