Advocaat resigns as head coach after leading Curaçao to World Cup

WILLEMSTAD, Curacao (CMC):

Head coach of Curaçao’s national football team, Dick Advocaat, has stepped down from the position due to his daughter’s health issues.

The 78-year-old Advocaat created history earlier this year when he guided Curaçao to qualification for this summer’s FIFA World Cup, making them the smallest nation ever to reach the tournament.

Curaçao stunned the footballing world by emerging top of Group B in CONCACAF Qualifiers, playing unbeaten in their six games to end on 12 points — one more than Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz — to book their spot to the 2026 World Cup, set to be hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States from June 11 to July 19.

However, the Curaçao Football Federation will now have to secure the services of another head coach after Advocaat stepped down.

“I’ve always said that family comes before football. This is, therefore, a natural decision. But that doesn’t change the fact that I will miss Curaçao, the people there, and my colleagues very much,” Advocaat told ESPN.

“I consider qualifying the smallest country in the world for the World Cup one of the highlights of my career. I’m proud of my players, staff, and the board members who believed in us.”

Advocaat’s long-time assistant, Cor Pot, and team doctor Casper van Eijck have also stepped away from their roles in support of him while the remainder of the coaching staff will stay in place.

The ESPN report said Fred Rutten would take over as head coach.

Rutten, who spent his entire playing career with FC Twente, has previously led Twente, FC Schalke 04, PSV Eindhoven, Vitesse, Feyenoord, and RSC Anderlecht.