FIFA World Cup Proves a Graveyard for Coaches: Ronald Koeman Joins a Long List of Sacked or Resigned Managers

Pulse Sports Team 12:32 - 08 July 2026

Ronald Koeman drew his conclusions after the Dutch national team's disappointing FIFA World Cup campaign and stepped down as head coach. The Dutchman was not the only one, and certainly not the last. The World Cup in Mexico, the United States, and Canada has proven to be a true coaching graveyard. A significant number of coaches have already departed.

The coaching carousel began after just one group stage match. Tunisia's 5-1 loss to Sweden in the Netherlands' group spelled the end for head coach Sabri Lamouchi, who was replaced by Hervé Renard. However, the Frenchman couldn't turn the tide either. Following defeats to Japan (4-0) and the Netherlands (3-1), Tunisia crashed out of the World Cup without a win. Days later, Renard also announced his departure, having served as head coach for a mere 18 days.

Subsequently, coaches came and went, but typically only after group stage eliminations or, as in Koeman's case, after being knocked out in the knockout rounds. In Croatia, eliminated by Portugal in the round of 16, Zlatko Dalic stepped down on Wednesday after nine years at the helm. Between Lamouchi and Dalic, a staggering ten other coaches were either sacked or chose to resign.

Mass Exodus of Coaches

After the group stage, Myung-Bo Hong (South Korea), Steve Clark (Scotland), Marcelo Bielsa (Uruguay), and Miroslav Koubek (Czech Republic) all departed. Although Ecuador narrowly scraped into the knockout phase, Sebastian Beccacece also resigned after their defeat to Mexico. Julian Nagelsmann was the first major name after Koeman to leave following Germany's humiliating exit against Paraguay (after a penalty shootout). Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz left Ghana after their elimination by Colombia. In Portugal, Roberto Martinez departed after Spain proved narrowly too strong in the round of 16 (0-1).

Dick Advocaat's Situation

Thomas Christiansen's contract with Panama was set to expire after the World Cup anyway, so while he's no longer head coach after their winless exit, he wasn't sacked or resigned. A similar arrangement will likely apply to Dick Advocaat with Curaçao, while the position of New Zealand's head coach (Bazeley) is still under evaluation. Carlo Ancelotti of Brazil, however, was allowed to remain despite their surprising early exit.

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