Ronald Koeman has resigned as head coach of the Netherlands, announcing his decision on Instagram hours after the team's World Cup exit.
The Dutch team was eliminated in the last 32 following a penalty shootout defeat against Morocco. Koeman, 63, stated that he made the decision immediately after the early departure from the tournament.
This marks the end of Koeman's second tenure as the national team's head coach, having previously managed the side from 2018 to 2020. "Last night I took the decision to end my stint as head coach of the Dutch National Team," Koeman wrote on Instagram. "We all dreamed of a World Cup in which we would write history. That didn't work out. No one is more disappointed about that than me. As a head coach, you carry that responsibility."
Koeman also referenced his wife Bartina's ongoing battle with breast cancer. "Moreover, the past years have made me realise again that there are more important things than football," he added. "Football has been my life, but health is priceless. When someone you love is fighting a tough battle, your perspective changes."
He expressed gratitude to the players, staff, the KNVB (Dutch FA), employees, and supporters. "It was a great honor to be able to represent the Netherlands as a head coach," he said. "I would have liked to end my time at Oranje with a world title. Unfortunately, that dream was left unfulfilled. But above all pride prevails."
Koeman was initially appointed in 2018 and left after two years to manage Barcelona. He returned to the national team in 2023, succeeding Louis van Gaal after the 2022 World Cup. During his first spell, he guided the Netherlands to the semi-finals of Euro 2024, where they were defeated by England.
The Netherlands' defeat to Morocco in Monterrey followed a 1-1 draw after extra time. Local media reactions in the Netherlands have been critical, with some publications accusing captain Virgil van Dijk of underperforming and suggesting that Koeman had "failed terribly" in his role. One journalist noted the team's "defensive and without any initiative" style as a "great disgrace" and called for a "breath of fresh air and a fresh start" for the national team.