New Delhi, July 1 (IANS) Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman announced his resignation after the Dutch were knocked out in the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 by Morocco, marking the end of his second spell with Oranje as manager.

Koeman began his first tenure in early 2018, which lasted until mid-2020. He returned for a second term in early 2023 after the World Cup in Qatar, where the Netherlands had made the quarter-finals.

“I made the decision to bring my time as national team coach of the Dutch national team to a close. We all dreamed of a World Cup in which we would make history. We did not succeed. No one is more disappointed about that than I am. As national coach, you carry that responsibility. I have always felt it, and I always will.

“Furthermore, the past few years have made me realise once again that there are more important things than football. Football has been my life, but health is priceless,” he shared on Instagram.

Under his leadership, the Dutch national team qualified for three major tournaments: Euro 2021, Euro 2024, and the 2026 World Cup. During Euro 2024, the Oranje reached the semi-finals, where England proved too strong, winning 2-1.

In his first period as national coach, Koeman also led the Oranje to the final of the UEFA Nations League in 2019. In total, he was at the helm of the Dutch national team for 64 official international matches.

Later, the Royal Dutch Football Association confirmed that Koeman has informed the federation that he will not extend his contract as head coach of the Netherlands national team when it expires.

“Precisely because I have worked so closely and intensively with this coaching staff and this group of players for such a long time, this was not an easy decision to make,” said Koeman. “I am grateful and would like to express my sincere appreciation for the dedication shown by everyone involved with Oranje during both of my periods as head coach.

“Of course, it is deeply disappointing that our World Cup campaign has ended so early. But once I have had time to process it and look back, I will mainly remember the great cooperation and the many wonderful moments we shared together. I would therefore like to thank everyone who contributed to that. I have decided that now is the right time to spend more time with my wife, children, and grandchildren. At this moment, it feels like the right and most natural decision,” he added.

Nigel de Jong, the Dutch football association’s technical director, stated that he “ naturally” respects Koeman’s decision.

“Ronald has dedicated himself with full conviction over the past few years and made an important contribution to the Dutch national team. On behalf of the KNVB, I would like to thank him very much for that.”

–IANS

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