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Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman is expected to resign in the coming days following the team's early World Cup exit after a penalty shootout loss to Morocco.
When asked directly after the Morocco match if he had resigned, Koeman stated, "No, the disappointment is too raw right after the game. First, I need to gather my thoughts. I'll start doing that tomorrow morning. And perhaps I'll reach a conclusion by noon," the coach promised.
The Dutch media has accused Koeman of abandoning the "Dutch school" of attacking football by fielding five defenders against Morocco. One reporter suggested the players were scared, which upset Koeman, who defended his strategy but failed to convince his critics.
The daily newspaper Algemeen Dagblad predicted the manager would step down after a performance by the "Tulips" that "ranged from sluggish, aimless passing and retreating against Japan to an energetic response against Sweden, and then back to an 80% mentality against Tunisia."
Four years ago in Qatar, under Louis van Gaal, the Oranje reached the quarter-finals. Koeman took over the following year, but with mixed results. The Netherlands reached the semi-finals of the 2024 European Championship but failed to defeat any nation ranked in the FIFA top 25.
The 63-year-old Koeman previously managed the Netherlands from February 2018 before abruptly leaving in August 2020 to take charge of Barcelona.
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