Return To The Dutch National Team Coach Chair Replaces Louis Van Gaal, Ronald Koeman: I'm Looking Forward To This New Assignment

JAKARTA – Former Barcelona coach, Ronald Koeman will return to the chair of the Dutch national team to replace Louis van Gaal. However, the 59-year-old coach will only be in charge at the beginning of next year.

According to Marca's report, Wednesday, Koeman and the Dutch Football Federation (KNVB) have reached an agreement. In the deal, Koeman was entrusted with being in charge of the Dutch national team until the 2026 World Cup.

"I'm looking forward to this new assignment. More than a year and a half ago, I didn't leave the Dutch national team out of dissatisfaction. The result was good. We will soon continue on that path. That's for sure for me," said Koeman.

In the ranks of the Dutch national team coach, Koeman is not a new person. He previously served as assistant coach in the 1997-1998 period before taking up the position of head coach for 2018-2020.

After leaving the Netherlands, he chose to move to Spanish giants Barcelona. However, he was dismissed in 2021 following some disappointing results and was replaced by club legend Xavi Hernandez.

The KNVB's decision to go to Koeman was due to the current situation faced by coach Louis van Gaal. A few days ago, the 70-year-old tactician revealed that he was battling prostate cancer he was suffering from.

However, he insisted on remaining in the coach seat of the Orange squad until the Qatar World Cup was over. Van Gaal took over as coach of the Dutch national team last year, which was his third spell with Orange.