"When I look back on my career, I feel above all pride and gratitude," Koeman said. He also worked as a coach at Vitesse, Ajax, Benfica, PSV, Valencia, Alkmaar, Feyenoord, Southampton, Everton, and FC Barcelona. Many people and clubs shaped him and gave him memories that would last a lifetime.
"We all dreamed of a World Cup..."
"That's precisely why it hurts that my time with Oranje is ending this way. We all dreamed of a World Cup where we would make history. Unfortunately, we did not succeed. No one is more disappointed about this than me," Koeman said. However, as head coach, he bears responsibility.
He has learned over the years that there are things more important than football. Specifically, Koeman thanked his wife Bartina for her support, who always stood by him despite an illness.
Koeman also thanked all the players, the staff, the association's employees - and the fans. "It was a great honor to represent the Netherlands as national coach."
Koeman had been coach of the Netherlands since January 2023, having previously coached "Oranje" in 20 matches between 2018 and 2020.
