Dick Advocaat (79), the coach who led Curaçao to the World Cup finals, unexpectedly relinquished his post.
The Curaçao Football Federation (FFK) said in an official announcement on the 23rd (Korea time) that Advocaat stepped down immediately and that fellow Dutchman Fred Rutten (64) has been appointed as his successor.
Advocaat recently stunned the world by performing the miracle of leading Curaçao to the 2026 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) CONCACAF World Cup finals. But Advocaat decided to retire after his daughter faced health problems.
Advocaat expressed regret, saying, I have always said family comes before football. Therefore this is a natural decision. But I will miss Curaçao and its people, and my colleagues very much.
He also said, I consider getting the smallest country in the world into the World Cup one of the highlights of my career, and added, I am proud of the players, staff and board who trusted us.
In fact, Advocaat led Curaçao, a small island nation with a population of about 150,000, through the CONCACAF final qualification and secured the country's first-ever World Cup berth.
Advocaat earned Korea its first World Cup win when his team beat Togo 2-1 in the opening group match of the 2006 World Cup in Germany. At the time Korea trailed 0-1 before Lee Cheon-su's equalizer and Ahn Jung-hwan's go-ahead goal.
In the finals, Curaçao is in Group E with Germany, Côte d'Ivoire and Ecuador. Curaçao lost its leader just over three months before the tournament.
Gilbert Martina, president of the FFK, said with regret, His decision deserves respect. Advocaat made history with our national team, and Curaçao will always be grateful to him.
Incoming coach Rutten is a veteran who has previously managed PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord and Schalke 04. Rutten said, It is a difficult time for Advocaat and his family and I hope to be of help to them.
He added upon taking the position, Advocaat is an icon of world football and I am honored to take over his work, saying I will communicate closely with Coach Advocaat and walk the same path.
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