What's happened
Steven Bergwijn has publicly stated he no longer wishes to play for Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman after the latter criticized his transfer to Al-Ittihad. Bergwijn expressed disappointment over Koeman's comments, emphasizing the lack of direct communication before the public remarks. This fallout follows Koeman's exclusion of Bergwijn from the national team.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Mark Gleeson in The Independent, Bergwijn expressed his frustration, stating, "I don’t even want to play under Koeman anymore." This sentiment reflects a significant shift in his relationship with the coach. Meanwhile, Koeman, as reported by The Guardian, emphasized that Bergwijn's move was financially motivated, saying, "When you are 26, your main ambition should be sporting, not financial." This contrast highlights the differing priorities between the player and coach, suggesting a deeper issue within the national team's management.
How we got here
Bergwijn's transfer from Ajax to Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia has led to controversy, with Koeman stating that the move reflects a lack of sporting ambition. This decision comes after Bergwijn's participation in Euro 2024, where he played a limited role.
More on these topics
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Ronald Koeman is a Dutch retired footballer who has been manager of the Netherlands national team since 2018. He is the younger brother of his former international teammate Erwin Koeman and the son of former Dutch international Martin Koeman.
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Steven Charles Bergwijn is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a winger for English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur and the Netherlands national team.
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The Netherlands, informally Holland, is a country primarily located in Western Europe and partly in the Caribbean, forming the largest constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.