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Ronald Koeman has resigned as Netherlands head coach following the Oranje’s penalty shootout defeat to Morocco in the World Cup round of 32.
The Dutch were eliminated after surrendering their lead in stoppage time before losing on penalties, bringing an end to Koeman’s second spell in charge, which began in 2023.
A key member of the Netherlands side that won Euro 1988, Koeman led the national team at two major tournaments during his latest tenure.
He guided the Oranje to the semi-finals of Euro 2024, where they were beaten by England, before their disappointing World Cup exit.
During his first spell in charge between 2018 and 2020, Koeman secured qualification for Euro 2020, ending the Netherlands’ absence from major tournaments since the 2014 World Cup.
He left before the postponed finals to become Barcelona manager.The Netherlands’ exit in the round of 32 is their earliest World Cup elimination in two decades.
Former Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and ex-Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag have both been linked with the vacancy. Slot was dismissed by Liverpool in May after the club failed to mount a successful defence of their Premier League title.
According to Dutch outletAD.nl, former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, PSV Eindhoven boss Peter Bosz, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Mark van Bommel are also among the names being considered by the KNVB.
Jurgen Klopp could reportedly be set for a return to management, with the former Liverpool boss also emerging as a leading candidate for the Germany national team job.
Klopp has been out of coaching since leaving Liverpool at the end of the 2023-24 season, but is now said to be in contention to replace Julian Nagelsmann amid growing pressure on the current Germany head coach.
Germany’s World Cup campaign ended in disappointment following a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in the round of 32.
They had begun the tournament brightly in North America, opening with a 7-1 win over Curacao and a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast. However, their form dipped with a 2-1 group-stage defeat to Ecuador, before a 1-1 draw with Paraguay in their final match.
The knockout clash went to penalties after extra time, with misses from Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah contributing to a 4-3 shootout defeat.
Nagelsmann is now facing mounting pressure following Germany’s early exit and a lack of major tournament success since his appointment in October 2023.