Ronald Koeman goes home in first managerial job since Barcelona exit

Five months since his dismissal at Barcelona, Ronald Koeman has announced his return to the Dutch national team.

Ronald Koeman will replace Louis van Gaal as the Netherlands manager after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The 59-year-old Dutchman has signed a three-year contract with the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB). He will assume the role in 2023, after Van Gaal – who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer – steps down at the end of this winter’s World Cup tournament.

Proud to share I will be the manager of Netherlands’ national team again after the WC. I am very much looking forward, let’s reach new successes together! 🇳🇱 #holland

— Ronald Koeman (@RonaldKoeman) April 6, 2022

It will be Koeman’s second spell in charge of his country and his first job since his dismissal at Barcelona last October.

“I am looking forward to the new collaboration. A little over a year and a half ago, I certainly did not leave the Dutch national team out of dissatisfaction,” Koeman said in a statement.

“My stay felt good, the results were good and the click with the internationals was good. We will soon continue on that path. That is certain for me.”

In his first spell, Koeman recorded 11 wins in 20 games in charge of the Netherlands (D5 L4). He led the national team to a runners-up spot in the 2018/19 UEFA Nations League. Qualification for Euro 2020 followed before he left the role to take charge of Barcelona in August 2020.

Netherlands return to action on June 3 for a Nations League match away to Belgium.