Netherlands' Ronald Koeman steps down after disappointing Morocco loss

One day after the Netherlands lost a World Cup round of 32 match to Morocco on penalty kicks, Ronald Koeman announced his second run as the Dutch coach has come to an end.

Per Koeman’s Instagram account, he made the decision not long after the Netherlands failed to make the round of 16 for the first time in 12 World Cups.

“(Monday) night I decided to end my time as coach of the Dutch national team,” Koeman wrote in Dutch. “Looking back on my career, I mainly feel proud and grateful. I’ve had the privilege of working at Vitesse, Ajax, Benfica, PSV, Valencia, AZ, Feyenoord, Southampton, Everton, FC Barcelona, and of course two periods with Oranje, clubs and people that shaped me and gave me memories that I will cherish my whole life.

“That’s exactly why it hurts that my time (with the Netherlands) ends like this. We all dreamed of a World Cup where we would make history. That didn’t happen. Nobody is more disappointed about that than I am. As a coach, you carry that responsibility. I have always felt it and will always continue to feel it.”

The Netherlands entered World Cup play ranked eighth in the FIFA World Rankings and won Group F with wins over Sweden and Tunisia and a tie with Japan. While Morocco entered the World Cup at No. 7, the Netherlands were expected to advance on Monday in Guadalupe, Mexico.

The Netherlands took a 1-0 lead in the 72nd minute, but Morocco answered during stoppage time. In penalty kicks, Morocco prevailed 3-2.

Koeman, 63, coached the Netherlands from 2018-20 and returned in early 2023 after a stint with FC Barcelona.

–Field Level Media