The Dutch handball players immediately say goodbye to national coach Erlingur Richardsson. After an evaluation of the failed World Cup qualification, the handball association and the Icelander have decided to end the cooperation, it was announced on Saturday.
The Netherlands narrowly missed next year’s World Cup under the leadership of Richardsson a month and a half ago. In the final of the play-offs, the Orange lost 28-35 to Portugal, while the first game in Portugal was won 30-33. As a result, the handball players missed out on the first World Cup ticket since 1961.
Richardsson has been the national coach of the Netherlands since 2017. Under his reign, the handball players qualified for a European Championship for the first time in history two years ago. In January, Richardsson made history with the team again by reaching the second group stage at the European Championships in Hungary and Slovakia.
“Erlingur Richardsson has achieved great success with the team,” said Serge Rink, technical director of the Dutch Handball Association. “The team has developed strongly under his leadership. We are of course very grateful to him for that.”
“After the evaluation, we have come to the conclusion that it is time for a new phase. We would like to thank Erlingur again and of course wish you every success in the continuation of his career. The search for a new national coach has started.”
It is not yet clear who will succeed Richardsson as national coach of the handball players. The qualifying series for the European Championship 2024, which will be held in Germany, starts in October. For the first time in history, the field of participants at that tournament consists of 24 countries.