Ronald Koeman resigns after the Netherlands’ World Cup exit

Ronald Koeman has resigned as Netherlands coach, one day after the team’s World Cup campaign ended with a penalty shootout defeat to Morocco in Monterrey.

Koeman initially avoided making a final statement about his future after the loss. But his disappointing second spell in charge had made his departure increasingly likely amid a wave of criticism from Dutch media. He announced the decision on Instagram, saying he had chosen to end his tenure with the national team.

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Last night I decided to end my tenure as coach of the Netherlands national team.

“We all dreamed of a World Cup in which we would make history,” Koeman wrote. “That did not happen. No one is more disappointed about that than me. As a coach, you bear that responsibility.”

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We all dreamed of a World Cup in which we would make history. That did not happen. No one is more disappointed about that than me. As a coach, you bear that responsibility.

He also hinted that he could withdraw from coaching. Koeman said football had been his life, but that recent years had reminded him that health was more important. He praised his wife, Bartina, for supporting and encouraging him to complete his work despite her own illness.

Koeman’s teams drew sustained criticism for uneven performances. Media commentators described a pattern that moved from sluggish play, aimless passing and retreating against Japan, to an energetic response against Sweden, and then back to an “80% mentality” against Tunisia. Koeman had returned as coach in 2023 after previously leading the Netherlands from 2018 to 2020. The Netherlands reached the Euro 2024 semifinals, but did not beat any team ranked among FIFA’s top 25 during that tournament.

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The last few years have also made me realize that there are more important things than football.