Surprising Advice in the Search for Ronald Koeman's Successor

While Erik ten Hag and Peter Bosz are frequently discussed in Dutch football circles, Maaskant believes the KNVB (Royal Dutch Football Association) should exercise caution. "Of course, I don't think you should poach coaches from Dutch clubs right now, especially Ten Hag, who has just started as director at FC Twente. You simply can't do that," Maaskant states. "However, I do believe the KNVB should pursue their best option, regardless of whether they are currently contracted to a club."

Fellow pundit Seuntjens then proposes a surprising name: the coach of the English women's national team. "I'd think outside the box: Sarina Wiegman. She is the most successful national team coach the Netherlands has ever had. It would be an advantage if she had experience in men's football, but the fact remains she has won three European Championships. She certainly knows what it takes to succeed at the top level of football."

Maaskant calls this a 'nice option'. "I certainly think the KNVB should engage in discussions. When you're operating at the top of the world, you shouldn't be looking at gender. You should purely assess whether they are good enough. I would definitely find Wiegman an interesting option to at least speak with," says the former coach, who then suggests a name of a different calibre. "Pep Guardiola."

However, the Sportnieuws.nl analyst is well aware that the Spanish top coach might be an unrealistic prospect. "I think Arne Slot is the easiest choice because he's available," Maaskant continues. At the same time, he raises questions about Slot as a national team coach. "I see him as a club coach, someone who works with long-term processes and team development. As a national team coach, you need to be much more of a people manager, capable of motivating players to perform in just a few days."

Even before Koeman's announced departure, Nigel de Jong indicated that internal candidates were also being considered. Among those mentioned is Jong Oranje (Netherlands U21) coach Michael Reiziger. "I would find that very peculiar, as he hasn't proven himself at such a high level yet. If you analyze his career so far, winning the championship with Jong Ajax was an outlier, and the rest has been mediocre."

Football reporter Aron Kattenpoel Oude Heerin also doesn't rule out assistant national coach Ruud van Nistelrooij being on the shortlist. "I would also find that an odd choice," Seuntjens responds. "He has, of course, been a head coach at PSV and Leicester City, but I consider that on par with Reiziger. I would find that a peculiar choice," concludes the 37-year-old striker for Belgian club Lommel SK.

In the new Sportnieuws.nl World Cup football podcast, Robert Maaskant, Ralf Seuntjens, and football reporter Aron Kattenpoel Oude Heerink discuss Ronald Koeman's exit, Nigel de Jong's role, and the racist remarks directed at Summerville, Timber, and Kluivert. Additionally, they talk about Danny Makkelie, who is on track for a potential World Cup final. Listen to the new episode on your favourite podcast platform or watch the broadcast on YouTube.