Ronald Koeman promised on Monday to get the Netherlands again to enjoying engaging, attacking soccer as he started his second stint in command of the nationwide group that misplaced to eventual winners Argentina within the World Cup quarter-finals.
The 59-year-old Koeman mentioned he needed to return to constructive play in his first interval as nationwide coach from 2018-20, when he led a proficient youth group to qualification for the European Championships and the inaugural Nations League remaining.
He seemed again not solely on these accomplishments, “however on how we did it. We actually need to return to that,” he mentioned.
Koeman’s predecessor, Louis van Gaal, was criticized by some sections of the Dutch sports activities media for what was perceived as a defensive model of play on the World Cup in November and December.
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“I saw moments in matches when I thought, ‘This could be different, this should be different,'” Koeman mentioned of his expertise watching the Netherlands in Qatar.
“In the Netherlands we try to play – and this is often the most difficult way – good, attractive, attacking football,” he mentioned.
Referring to van Gaal’s spectacular undefeated run till the World Cup quarter-finals, Koeman mentioned: “Twenty international matches without losing – that would be incredible if I even manage that.”
But, he added: “I think it can be done differently and I want to do it differently.”
Koeman was first appointed nationwide coach with the Netherlands after they didn’t qualify for the 2016 European Championship and 2018 World Cup. He led the group to runners-up within the inaugural Nations League and was set to educate the group on the 2020 European Championship earlier than it was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
But when his dream job – teaching Barcelona – opened up after Quique Setien was fired, Koeman stop and went again to the membership the place he made his title as an uncompromising defender and the place he nonetheless lives.
Koeman lasted lower than two seasons at Barcelona earlier than the membership struggled within the Spanish league and Champions League.
Now he says he has one thing to show in his second stint with the Netherlands.
“I have to demonstrate that I can be a successful coach who is successful at a major tournament,” he mentioned. “The first step is the qualifiers for the European Championship starting in March.”
Koeman’s first match within the qualification spherical was a troublesome one – the Netherlands misplaced to World Cup finalists France on 24 March in Paris. Also within the qualifying group are Ireland, Greece and Gibraltar.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
