Dick Advocaat apparently changed his mind about resigning as Curacao’s manager, making him the oldest manager in World Cup history.
Four months after the Caribbean nation’s first World Cup qualification, the 78-year-old resigned as manager of Curacao in February to take care of his daughter, who has been fighting cancer.
A month later, Advocaat was named an advisor to Robin van Persie, the manager of Feyenoord.
Cor Pot, his assistant, disclosed that the decision was made because Advocaat’s daughter was responding favourably to chemotherapy.
Curacao’s team realised this month that her health had sufficiently improved for Advocaat to consider a return, according to the Dutch tabloid AD.
Although players wanted Advocaat to lead the competition, it was first reported that the Curacao Football Federation had prohibited his return last week.
Before the next World Cup, Dick Advocaat is anticipated to take over as manager of Curacao.
Advocaat resigned in February to take care of his cancer-stricken daughter, but he has since changed his mind due to her improved health.
Advocaat’s successor, Fred Rutten, resigned as head coach in February when the team demanded a replacement before the competition next month.
“Healthy professional relationships between players and staff must not be harmed.” Rutten stated, “Therefore, it is wise to step back.”
Furthermore, Curacao needs to move forward because time is running out. I wish everyone the best of luck, but I regret how things have turned out.
Rutten was commended by the Curacao Football Federation for exhibiting “extraordinary class, professionalism, and sense of responsibility” and for choosing to prioritise the “greater interest of our team over his own interest.”
Although Advocaat’s return has not yet been formally confirmed by Curacao, it is anticipated that the seasoned coach would return.
Throughout his career, the incredibly seasoned Dutch coach has managed teams like Rangers, Sunderland, Fenerbahce, and eight other nations, including three stints as manager of the Netherlands.
At the age of 78, he would become the oldest World Cup manager. Otto Rehhagel, who coached Greece in the 2010 World Cup at the age of 71, now holds the record.
In order for Advocaat to take over as head coach, Fred Rutten has resigned.
With a population of slightly over 150,000, comparable to Cambridge, and a land area of 171 square miles, smaller than the Isle of Man, Curacao is the smallest country to qualify for the World Cup.
In 2018, Iceland became the smallest country to qualify for a World Cup.
Curacao’s World Cup campaign starts on June 14 when they play Germany in Group E. They then play Ecuador and Ivory Coast.
Curacao will play World Cup warm-up games against Scotland and Aruba.
