Less than a month from stepping down as Curacao head coach before leading them at the World Cup, Dick Advocaat is getting back to work at Feyenoord.
The 78-year-old guided Curacao to their first-ever World Cup, but then announced his decision to resign due to his daughter’s poor health.
Now back home in the Netherlands he couldn’t completely step away from the game, instead joining former side Feyenoord as an advisor with his daughter’s chemotherapy working well.
The Eredivisie side have collapsed under Robin van Persie in recent months and are at risk of giving up what previously looked like a simple second-place finish and Champions League football.
Advocaat is hoping he can stop that, and explained that his long-time relationship with the young coach is the reason for his motivation.
“I would like to help Feyenoord, and Robin van Persie in particular, to finish this season well,” he told Feyenoord’s website.
“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.”
Sporting director Dennis te Kloese commented on the decision, and insisted ‘RVP’ will stay in the dugout to finish the season no matter what happens.
He said: “Naturally, as club management, especially in the last few days, we have spoken extensively about how we can help the team and the staff during this important phase of the competition.
“The first time I mentioned Dick Advocaat’s name to Robin, he reacted immediately with great enthusiasm.”
When asked if his coach will stay in situ, he added: “Yes. There is not a single doubt about that.
“Last year we deliberately opted for the current technical staff.
“René Hake is an experienced assistant, but we shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to add Dick Advocaat with his experience.
“I sat in on their discussions and found Robin to be very open and positive.”
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