-
Netherlands men’s soccer team head coach Ronald Koeman announced his resignation from the team on Tuesday after the Dutch were knocked out of the World Cup on Monday
-
Koeman cited his wife Bartina’s recurrent breast cancer diagnosis as a primary reason for his stepping down
-
“The past years have made me realize again that there are more important things than football,” Koeman said in an announcement shared on social media
Netherlands’ men’s soccer team coach Ronald Koeman announced his resignation from the team after the Dutch squad was unexpectedly knocked out of the World Cup on Monday by Morocco.
Koeman, 63, made the announcement on Tuesday, June 30, citing his wife Bartina Koeman’s illness as a primary reason for his decision to leave football managing after Netherlands’ early exit.
“Last night I took the decision to end my stint as head coach of the Dutch national team,” Koeman said in a statement shared on Instagram, adding, “We all shared the dream of making history at this World Cup, but we fell short. No one is more disappointed by that than I am. As head coach, the responsibility ultimately rests with me.”
Ronald Koeman
Credit: ANP via Getty
Koeman, who was first appointed to coach the Dutch men’s squad in early 2018, also added that “the past years have made me realize again that there are more important things than football.”
“Football has been my life, but health is priceless,” the soccer coach said. “When someone you love is fighting a tough battle, your perspective changes. My wife Bartina has supported and encouraged me every day to finish my work as a national coach, despite her own illness process. That is a testimony to incredible strength. I appreciate her more than I’ll ever be able to put into words.”
BBC reported that Bartina is currently diagnosed with breast cancer, while Italy’s Il Messaggero reported prior to the World Cup that Bartina has had recurrent breast cancer diagnosis for the last 15 years, first having been diagnosed in 2010 and again in 2018.
“Every Wednesday she undergoes a treatment that makes her suffer for at least two days because of the side effects,” Koeman explained prior to the 2026 World Cup, adding, “She will not come to the USA.”
According to Il Messaggero, Bartina has supported Koeman and encouraged him to travel for tournaments such as the World Cup despite her recurrent illness. “I am a strong woman and I can make it,” she said, according to the newspaper. “I don’t go around whining all day because I am very independent.”
Adding of her husband before the 2026 World Cup, Bartina said: “I really hope Ronald is rewarded for his hard work. I hope he goes very far.”
Ronald Koeman and wife Bartina Koeman
Credit: JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty
Koeman and the Netherlands’ dream of reaching the World Cup Final next month ended Monday when the Dutch unexpectedly lost to Morocco 3-2 in a dramatic back-and-forth penalty shootout.
The World Cup continues Wednesday with the United States vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, England vs. DR Congo, and Belgium vs. Senegal in the Round of 32 knockout stage.
Read the original article on People