“Last night I made the decision”

After the Netherlands national team were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup, it was already somewhat in the air that national team coach Ronald Koeman would leave his position as coach. Also from the Orange faithful, more and more calls were being made for the sacking of the coach.

Now Koeman has brought to light on social media that he will stop as national team coach. ''Last night I made the decision to conclude my period as head coach of the Netherlands national team'', writes the former PSV coach on Facebook.

Then the born Zaandammer turns his attention to his coaching career. ''When I look back on my career, what I feel most is pride and gratitude. I have had the privilege of working at Vitesse, Ajax, Benfica, PSV, Valencia, AZ, Feyenoord, Southampton, Everton, FC Barcelona and of course two periods with Oranje. Clubs and people who have shaped me and given me memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life'', Koeman continues.

The final period of the coach at Oranje will, despite a semi-final at Euro 2024, be seen as disastrous by many football fans after all, and Koeman writes the following about it: ''Precisely for that reason it hurts that my period with Oranje ends this way. We all dreamed of a World Cup in which we would make history. That did not happen. Nobody is more disappointed about that than I am. As national team coach, you carry that responsibility. I have always felt it and will always continue to feel it.''

In addition, the health of Koeman’s partner, Bertina, also affected the decision to stop as national team coach. ''In recent years, moreover, I have once again been reminded that there are more important things than football. Football has been my life, but health is priceless. When someone you love with all your soul is fighting a tough battle, your perspective changes. My wife Bartina has supported me every day, despite her own illness process, and encouraged me to finish my work as national team coach. That is a testament to incredible strength. I am more grateful to her for that than I will ever be able to put into words'', the coach continues.

The former footballer also considers it an honor to have been national team coach of the Netherlands, and Koeman will take his leave with mixed feelings. ''I take my leave with mixed feelings. Of course, I would have liked to end my spell with Oranje with a world title. Unfortunately, that dream has not been fulfilled. But above all, pride prevails. Pride in everything that football has brought me, in the people I have met, and in the fact that I have been able to turn my greatest passion into my profession'', said Koeman.