Ronald Koeman has announced his farewell to the Dutch national team following their elimination from the World Cup. Here are his reasons.
The Dutch national team is looking for a new coach. Ronald Koeman announced on Tuesday evening that he had decided to step down following the Netherlands' early exit from the World Cup. Koeman looks back with great pride on his time as coach of the national team, but also realizes that there are more important things in life than football. “Tonight I made the decision to end my career as coach of the Dutch national team,” writes Koeman on Instagram. "When I look back at my career, above all I feel pride and gratitude. I had the privilege of working at clubs such as Vitesse, Ajax, Benfica, PSV, Valencia, AZ, Feyenoord, Southampton, Everton, Barcelona and of course two spells with the Netherlands. Clubs and people who shaped me and memories that I will carry with me for life." “This is precisely why it hurts that my time with the Netherlands is ending in this way,” the message continues. "We all dreamed of playing a World Cup in which history could be written. This was not possible. No one is more disappointed than me. As a coach, you are responsible for this. And I have always felt this responsibility and will continue to feel it." But the time had come for Koeman to leave. "In recent years I have also rediscovered that there are more important things than football. Football has been my life, but health is priceless. When someone you love more than anything is facing such a difficult battle, your point of view changes. My wife Bartina supported and encouraged me every day, despite being ill herself, to complete my job as coach. This shows incredible strength. I will always be grateful to her for this, more than words can express." "I want to thank all the players I had the honor of working with. Your commitment, character and trust motivated me every day. Thanks also to my staff, the Dutch Football Federation, all the employees working behind the scenes and the clubs I worked with. But above all thanks to the fans. For your support, especially in difficult times. It was a huge honor to represent the Netherlands as coach." "I leave with mixed feelings. Naturally I would have preferred to end my career with the national team with a world title. Unfortunately, this dream did not come true. But above all, pride prevails. Pride for everything that football has given me, for the people I have met and for the fact of having been able to make my great love my profession."
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