Curaçao national football team head coach Dick Advocaat who helped the nation earned qualification to their first-ever World Cup few months ago has resgined due to personal reasons..
2026-02-26 03:45
The Curaçao Football Association (FFK) announced on its official website on Wednesday that the national team's veteran Dutch head coach, Dick Advocaat, has resigned due to personal reasons.
According to the Curaçao Football Association (FFK)'s official statement, former Feyenoord and Schalke 04 head coach Fred Rutten will succeed Advocaat as the new national team head coach.
The association and the everyone at the national team expressed their deepest gratitude to Advocaat for his contributions, especially in helping Curaçao qualify for their first-ever FIFA World Cup this summer, and wished him all the best for the future and that all his problems would be resolved smoothly.
Furthermore, according to a report from ESPN Netherlands, Advocaat was allegedly forced to resign due to health issues, either personally or through his daughter.
Regarding his resignation, Advocaat explained, "I've always said family is more important than football, so this was a natural decision. That said, I will miss Curaçao, its people, and my colleagues very much."
"Leading one of the world's smallest countries to the World Cup was one of the most glorious moments of my career. I'm proud of my players, staff, and board members, and I thank them for their trust in us."
On becoming Advocaat's successor, Fred Rutten, said, "This has been a difficult time for Dick, and I wish him and his family all the best. Dick is an icon in world football. It's an honor to take over his legacy."
"I've had extensive discussions with him and his team and will continue down the same path. Curaçao can expect my continued dedication and commitment."
Curaçao qualified for the FIFA World Cup finals for the first time last November after a 0-0 draw against Jamaica in the final qualifiers.
They are the smallest nation to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Their first Group E match will be against Germany in Houston on June 14. Their group opponents also include Ecuador and Ivory Coast.
Image source: Internet / ESPN Netherlands
