With the dust settling on Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands resignation, attention is already turning to who will replace him.
The legendary ex-defender left the Oranje for the second time after a World Cup last 32 knockout against Morocco.
Things had been getting stale in the Dutch dugout even before Koeman’s repeat job, with Louis van Gaal and Dick Advocaat also taking multiple stints.
Now, though, there’s time for a fresh new look, and one could be history making.
Slot and Wiegman lead fans’ poll
In a poll conducted by AD, female coach Sarina Wiegman was second to only ex-Liverpool boss Arne Slot.
The Dutch coach is one of the greatest in the history of women’s football, winning the European Championships with the Dutch women’s team and two with the England women’s team, who she also took to a World Cup final.
Wiegman was previously linked to Eredivisie side Heerenveen but the move never came to pass, yet fans haven’t given up on her.
17% who took part in the poll from leading outlet AD chose Wiegman over huge names like Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp.
Slot the favourite to replace Koeman
However, one man was ahead of her – Slot.
The Premier League winner was given an overwhelming 40% of the vote, and it’s no surprise.
Dutch writer Mikos Gouka, who authored his autobiography, has made a pitch for the former Feyenoord coach.
Asked about the possibility, he commented: “I understand that he does not want to do anything this summer and is not joining a club.
“Admittedly, he always says that he prefers club football to international football, but I have no indications that he would never want to manage the Dutch national team.
“In fact, I understand that he would consider it an honour to become national coach.
“The question, of course, is whether this is the right phase in his career. Does he feel there is enough potential in this squad, and can he compete for trophies later on? And what narrative is the KNVB painting, and who could he potentially bring with him? Still, I think they stand a good chance if they approach him.
“He will be out of club football for a while, but you can see from the coaches here at the World Cup that something like that doesn’t stand in the way of a return.
“Men like Nagelsmann (Germany) and Tuchel (England) will soon end up at a top club again just as easily.”
Gouka was then asked if Slot’s Liverpool sacking will impact things.
“I don’t know exactly what the arrangements are,” he said. “Maybe he was given a sum of money, or he has been suspended; in that case, his salary stops as soon as he has a new job.
“Of course, the KNVB cannot pay what Liverpool paid, but the association still offers a salary that you can easily live on for two years. And you also work many times less.
“What I do know is that Premier League managers often struggle with the enormous energy such a season takes.
“In that case, it can be very clarifying and calming if you don’t have to be on the pitch three times a week, but can calmly build up to a match.”
Asked what Slot would bring to the job, he continued: “Knowing Slot, he is very quick to make clear to players what he wants.
“At Feyenoord, things also went very well incredibly fast in his first season.
“Then, when the entire squad was replaced following the lost Conference League final, they were back on track immediately the following season. That is his great strength.”
Leave a Reply