Former Dutch coach Dick Advocaat is making a comeback in the coaching profession.
Dick Advocaat will become the oldest national team manager in World Cup history. The experienced Dutchman has made a surprising comeback as head coach of Curaçao’s national team – just one month before the nation is due to make its historic World Cup debut.
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Advocaat stepped down from the role in February, after leading Curaçao to its very first World Cup qualification in November last year. At the time, the reason was concern for her daughter’s health.
Now her condition has improved, and reports in the Netherlands suggested that the 78-year-old was open to a return. On Tuesday, Curaçao Football Association president Gilbert Martina confirmed the appointment.
Advocaat is thus about to become the oldest coach in World Cup history.
Rutten leaves after a short period as leader
Advocaat replaces compatriot Fred Rutten, who resigned after only a short period as chief.
Rutten led the team to losses to China and Australia in March, while the Curaçao federation faced increasing pressure from both players and sponsors to bring Advocaat back.
Although the federation publicly supported Rutten on Friday, the situation changed quickly. His resignation was confirmed three days later, after what is described as “open and constructive” discussions.
“A climate that damages the professional relationships between players and staff must not be allowed to arise,” the federation wrote in a statement.
“It is wise to retire. Time is pressing, and Curaçao must move on.
Historic tournament awaits Curaçao
Curaçao will be the smallest nation ever to participate in a World Cup when the tournament starts next month.
They open the group stage in Group E against Germany on June 14, before facing Ecuador and Ivory Coast.
Before the World Cup, Curaçao travel to Glasgow to face Scotland at Hampden Park on May 30 – one of Steve Clarke’s side’s last pre-tournament warm-ups.
You only have to take a brief look at the national team’s pages to realize how small Curaçao is and how exceptional they have actually managed to qualify. – The country consists of several islands and has about 160,000 inhabitants.
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