Image Credits: Imago Images
The Netherlands job is up for grabs and Arne Slot’s name is already being thrown into the mix.
Ronald Koeman brought his second spell in charge of the Oranje to an abrupt end on July 1st, confirming his resignation just 24 hours after the Netherlands were knocked out of the 2026 World Cup in the Round of 32 by Morocco.
It was a brutal ending to what had been a promising tournament on paper. The Dutch had topped Group F with wins over Sweden and Tunisia and a draw with Japan, only to fall apart in the shootout, losing 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Monterrey.
For Koeman, it marked the first time in history that the Netherlands had failed to reach the last 16 at a World Cup.
With the KNVB now tasked with finding a replacement, one name has shot straight to the top of the wishlist.
Arne Slot — recently departed from Liverpool — has emerged as the bookmakers’ favourite.
Dutch football reporter Marcel van der Kraan was bullish on the prospect, telling talkSPORT: “I think Arne Slot is very, very much up for that; he’s probably the ideal candidate. He can play his Dutch style of football — the passing, attacking style”.
However, Italian journalist Nicolo Shira has reported that Erik Ten Hag is another frontrunner for the job:
“Arne Slot and Erik Ten Hag are among the candidates for Netherlands National Team’s coach role as Koeman’s replacement.”
It’s a name that will raise a few eyebrows given what has been a turbulent couple of years for the former Manchester United boss.
After being sacked by United in October 2024, Ten Hag was handed a lifeline by Bayer Leverkusen the following May, replacing the outgoing Xabi Alonso on a two-year deal.
But the spell was nothing short of disastrous — Leverkusen axed him after just three competitive matches.
Ten Hag himself described the decision as “unprecedented”.
Since then, the 55-year-old has moved away from the dugout entirely, taking up a technical director role at boyhood club FC Twente on a deal running until 2028.
Arne #Slot and Erik #TenHag are among the candidates for #Netherlands National Team’s coach role as #Koeman’s replacement. #transfers
— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) July 2, 2026