Ronald Koeman has announced his resignation as manager of the Netherlands’ men’s team, hours after the Oranje were knockout of the World Cup after penalty kicks to Morocco in the Round of 32.
The Dutch were minutes away from advancing when Morocco’s Issa Diop headed home an equalizer in the first minute of second-half stoppage time. A winner could not be decided after 30 minutes of stoppage time and Koeman’s side had a penalty saved and two attempts missed as they crashed out of the tournament.
Koeman was criticized for setting the Netherlands up with five defenders and employing counterattacking tactics, which even surprised Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who said he was “taken aback by the formation.”
The 63-year-old Koeman, who was hired for a second tenure in charge of the national team in 2022, defended his game plan after the match.
“With this defensive approach, we gave away much less than we did during the [group] matches,” Koeman said via Reuters. “That was positive, but also we were less offensive. You can think of the tactics whatever you like, but we gave away much less against a team much stronger than Sweden and Tunisia. And if I had to do it again, I would do it the same way again.
“I also know that if Morocco hadn’t equalized with that late goal, there would be all sorts of compliments for me as the Dutch coach, but now, probably, I’m going to be scolded for the fact that I chose five defenders, but once again, I believe it was necessary.”
“You will criticize me, and that’s your right, but you watch football from the sidelines,” he added.
Morocco will face Canada in Houston on Saturday in the Round of 16.
As a player, Koeman was part of the 1988 Netherlands side that captured the European Championship over the Soviet Union. As a manager, he led his country to a 2018-19 UEFA Nations League final and helped the side qualify for the 2020 Euros, which he was not a part of after leaving to manage Barcelona. After returning as national team manager, the Netherlands reached the semifinals of Euro 2024.
The Netherlands have had strong showings at recent World Cups. They reached the quarterfinals in 2022, the semifinals in 2014 and were runners-up in 2010. Under Koeman, since 2023, they failed to beat a top 25 team in FIFA’s world rankings, losing eight and drawing six.
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