UPDATE 12/5/2026: Fred Rutten resigns as Curacao coach
Fred Rutten has resigned as Curacao coach the day after the national team’s key financer announced he’d withdraw funding.
Atilay Uslu, the CEO of Corendon, made the call after the football association blocked the return of Dick Advocaat.
Rutten was set to name his World Cup squad on Monday, but has now quit amid the pressure for Advocaat to return after his daughter’s health drastically improved.
Curacao wrote in a statement: “The Federashon Futbòl Kòrsou (FFK) announced that Fred Rutten has decided to step down as head coach of the Curaçao national team following constructive discussions with the federation’s leadership.
“Although Rutten himself was not the subject of the discussions, he chose to resign to protect stability and healthy professional relationships within the squad and staff.
“FFK praised Rutten’s professionalism, leadership, and commitment to Curaçao football, emphasizing that he put the team’s interests above his own ahead of important upcoming matches.
“FFK’s board will decide on next steps today. The federation’s focus is now on maintaining calm around the national team and continuing to build toward Curaçao’s sporting ambitions.
“A press conference will be held tomorrow from 10:00 to 11:00 for further explanation regarding developments from February 2026 until now. The squad selection will not yet be announced.”
Rutten himself added: “There must not be a climate that harms healthy professional relationships within the team or staff. That is why stepping down is the right decision.
“Time is pressing and Curaçao must move forward. I regret how things unfolded, but I wish everyone the best.”
UPDATE 11/5/2026: Key financer departs Curacao.
Atilay Uslu, the CEO of Corendon, the travel provider and main financer of the Curacao national team, has withdrawn his sponsorship over the decision to block Dick Advocaat’s return.
Uslu told AD that he is ‘very disappointed’ by the association’s president keeping Fred Rutten over Advocaat.
He also confirmed that he will honour his current sponsorship deal which runs through until the end of the 2026 World Cup, so he will withdraw after the tournament.
There is at least some very good news at Curacao.
Dick Advocaat has expressed his willingness to return to the national team with his daughter’s ill health drastically improving.
The 78-year-old coach booked a debut World Cup spot for the island nation but then stepped down, returning to the Netherlands to care for his daughter who was diagnosed with cancer.
Yet she has thankfully drastically improved, and Advocaat has told the Dutch media he’s been approached by the players and sponsors to return to his post, and he’s told the football association he’s willing to do so.
However, there is a major snag, with Curacao and federation chairman Gilbert Martina wanting to stick with replacement Fred Rutten.
AD claim that Advocaat’s good news had reached the players who put in a request with Martina.
In fact, travel organizer Corendon, headed by owner Atilay Uslu, also requested that Rutten was replaced by Advocaat.
Yet the federation is so far holding firm, even with the experienced Rutter losing his first two matches against China (2-0) and Australia (5-1).
AD add that Rutter is aware of the requests for his removal and replacement, but as things stand he will travel to Curacao on Monday to announce his final squad for the World Cup.
News of Advocaat’s daughter’s health improving hit the headlines when he decided to take up an advisory role at Feyenoord.
Speaking on March 18th, he said: “I would like to help Feyenoord, and Robin van Persie in particular, to finish this season well.
“I have known Robin for almost twenty years, and our bond has always been good.
“When I was the coach here, as a former top striker, he wanted to share his knowledge with the attackers we had at Feyenoord. And now I can support him in turn. I am happy to do so.”
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