Louis van Gaal has already given Ronald Koeman his blessing. The future Bonds coach is “a good successor,” said the ill coach of the Dutch national soccer team, and bringing him back “a very sensible decision.”
Koeman once left Elftal “in their undershirts”, as the famous fan song “Hup Holland Hup” puts it. In 2020, after two successful years, he made use of a clause and switched to FC Barcelona.
At the time, Koeman emphasized that he “did not leave in peace” and wanted to “continue” on the successful path. After the World Cup in Qatar (November 21 to December 18), he replaces van Gaal and starts a four-year contract.
The 59-year-old is the “most logical option,” wrote Algemeen Dagblad. Like himself a year ago, Koeman is “the only available candidate with the necessary qualifications,” affirmed van Gaal. Mark van Bommel, who was also traded, was never a real alternative.
The KNVB contacted Koeman back in January after van Gaal informed the association about his departure after the World Cup. The return was “completely detached” from his prostate cancer, which he made public on Sunday, it said.
But is Koeman really the right one? Barca sacked him in disgrace last October; the horrendous compensation of allegedly twelve million euros was worth it to the Catalans – they played too unsightly under the former world-class defender.
Koeman has won 11 of his 20 international caps with Oranje (four defeats). With victories over arch-rival Germany, world champions France and England, he earned the reputation of the “giant killer” (Voetbal International), in the Nations League he led his team to the final in 2019 (0-1 against Portugal).
Van Gaal’s illness has probably at least accelerated Koeman’s return. The association, stressed director Marianne van Leeuwen, “didn’t want to wait”. At the World Cup, however, the 70-year-old van Gaal should sit on the bench. His declared goal: after losing three World Cup finals (1974, 1978, 2010), finally winning the title.