Curaçao rehires Dick Advocaat as coach for the World Cup three months after he resigned
- On Tuesday, the Curaçao Football Federation confirmed Dick Advocaat will return as head coach for the 2026 World Cup, following Fred Rutten's abrupt resignation. "Advocaat is returning," FFK President Gilbert Martina told AFP.
- Rutten's tenure ended following two comprehensive March losses, including a 5-1 defeat to Australia, as pressure mounted from players and sponsor Corendon to reinstate Advocaat.
- Denying claims of a "player putsch," FFK President Martina noted the departure followed "constructive discussions," while Rutten stated: "A climate must not arise that undermines healthy professional relations."
- Advocaat returns after resigning three months ago to care for his ill daughter, having previously led the island nation to its first World Cup qualification.
- At 78, Advocaat will lead the smallest nation ever to qualify and face Germany, Ecuador, and the Ivory Coast in Group E, potentially breaking the age record held by German Otto Rehhagel.
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The Dutch coach had left for family reasons before the last match of the qualifying phase, but has returned and will become the oldest coach to have coached in a World Cup finals.
Curaçao Rehires Dick Advocaat For The World Cup Three Months After He Resigned
Dutch veteran Dick Advocaat is coming back to take Curaçao to the World Cup and set a record as the oldest-ever coach in the tournament’s 96-year history.The 78-year-old Advocaat’s return three months after he resigned citing a family health issue was confirmed Tuesday by the Curaçao soccer federation, one day after Fred Rutten left the job."Discussions between (the federation) and Dick Advocaat regarding the further details of this appointment …
After two friendly defeats, the islanders had had enough and successfully fought for the return of Dick Advocaat as manager. As a globetrotter, the 78-year-old Dutchman knows the idiosyncrasies of many a "football minnow" very well.
Associated Press News
Curaçao rehires Dick Advocaat as coach for the World Cup three months after he resigned
Dutch veteran Dick Advocaat is coming back to take Curaçao to the World Cup and set a record as the oldest-ever coach in the tournament’s 96-year history.
The departure of Dick Advocaat (The Hague, 1947) in February left Curaçao heartbroken. 'The Little General', as he is nicknamed, made 'the blue wave' the smallest country, both in population (155,000 inhabitants) and in area (444 square kilometers), to compete in a World Cup.
I would like to compliment Fred Rutten on his strong decision to throw in the towel and save face. This is written by reader Monique Voogelaar.
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