Dick Advocaat is set to make a dramatic return as manager of Curacao just weeks before the World Cup, following the resignation of Fred Rutten amid reports of chaos behind the scenes. The 78-year-old Dutch veteran had quit the role in February to care for his ill daughter, but a shock U-turn now sees him poised to rejoin the national team.
World Cup Debutants in Turmoil
Curacao, the smallest state to ever qualify for the prestigious tournament, are in Group E alongside Germany, Ecuador, and Ivory Coast. Their opening match against Germany in Houston is now just 33 days away. The island nation, with a population of only 150,000, had celebrated their historic qualification under Advocaat in November, but recent events have plunged preparations into disarray.
Fred Rutten resigned as head coach on Monday, citing a toxic atmosphere. "There must not be a climate that harms healthy professional relationships within the team or staff," Rutten said. "That is why stepping down is the right decision. Time is pressing and Curaçao must move forward. I regret how things unfolded, but I wish everyone the best."
Behind-the-Scenes Issues
According to reports from De Telegraaf, major staff changes are expected, with those brought in by Rutten under threat as Advocaat and his long-time assistant Cor Pot prepare to return. A recent training camp in Australia was described as 'not optimal' and sparked major concerns over the team's readiness for the World Cup.
The Curacao Football Federation (FFK) released a statement on Monday confirming Rutten's resignation. "The FFK announced that Fred Rutten has decided to step down as head coach of the Curaçao national team following constructive discussions with the federation's leadership. Although Rutten himself was not the subject of the discussions, he chose to resign to protect stability and healthy professional relationships within the squad and staff." The federation praised Rutten's professionalism and commitment, emphasizing that he put the team's interests above his own.
Advocaat's Return
It is understood that Advocaat's return is partly due to an improvement in his daughter's health, but also driven by unhappiness among the squad with the direction under Rutten. A meeting with FFK president Gilbert Martina made it clear that there was strong support for Advocaat to come back.
Earlier this year, Advocaat explained his initial departure: "I've always said that family comes before football. This is therefore a natural decision. That said, I will greatly miss Curaçao, its people, and my colleagues. I consider qualifying the smallest nation in the world for the World Cup one of the highlights of my career. I am proud of my players, staff and board members who believed in us."
Now, with just over a month to go before the tournament, Advocaat is set to take the reins once again, hoping to steer Curacao through a challenging group stage.
