Fred Rutten Resigns as Curacao Coach; Dick Advocaat Return Imminent

Dick Advocaat set for Curacao return as Rutten Quits before World Cup  

Dick Advocaat could return as Curacao coach after Fred Rutten resigned. The 78-year-old may become the oldest World Cup manager if he leads Curacao vs Germany on June 14.

Days after rejecting calls to reinstate Advocaat, Curacao’s federation sees Fred Rutten resign. The veteran coach is now expected to return for the World Cup...

Fred Rutten has resigned as head coach of Curacao, the Curacao Football Federation confirmed on Monday. His exit could pave the way for former boss Dick Advocaat to return ahead of the World Cup.

 

The move is a sudden U-turn for the FFK, which had publicly rejected calls from players and sponsors to bring Advocaat back just three days earlier on Friday.

 

According to the FFK, Rutten left after “open and constructive” discussions with federation president Gilbert Martina. The federation added that Rutten wasn’t the focus of the internal dispute but chose to resign to keep the squad’s environment professional.

“A climate that damages healthy professional relationships among players and staff must not be allowed to emerge,” Rutten was quoted as saying in a federation ⁠statement on social media. “It is prudent to step back. Time is pressing and Curacao must move forward.”

Advocaat, 78, guided Curacao to a historic first World Cup qualification last November before stepping down in February to care for his daughter during a serious illness. Rutten was then brought in as his replacement.

  

Reports from Dutch media on Monday said Advocaat is now open to returning after his daughter’s health improved.

If he takes charge in the tournament, the veteran coach would become the oldest manager in World Cup history. He’s also said to have strong support within the Curacao squad.

A press conference is set for Tuesday to outline the coaching transition. Curacao’s World Cup campaign starts against Germany in Houston on June 14 in Group E.