What's happened
Curaçao has confirmed the return of Dick Advocaat as manager, three months after his resignation over his daughter’s health issue. He will coach Curaçao at the 2026 World Cup, becoming the tournament’s oldest manager, with Fred Rutten having stepped down and discussions with Advocaat ongoing.
What's behind the headline?
Key update
- Dick Advocaat has returned as Curaçao manager, three months after his resignation.
- The federation is working on details to ensure stability, clarity, and continuity around the national team.
- Curaçao’s first World Cup match is against Germany on June 14, with further group games to follow.
Context
- Advocaat has a history with Curaçao in the qualification process and has previously managed other national teams, including the Netherlands and South Korea.
- The decision follows two high-profile warm-up losses under Rutten, which have shifted pressure back toward Advocaat’s leadership.
How we got here
Advocaat has previously led Curaçao to World Cup qualification but resigned three months later because of his daughter’s health. Fred Rutten has since stepped down, and Advocaat is returning to stabilise the national team ahead of their World Cup debut.
Our analysis
AP News and The Guardian report Advocaat’s return and Rutten’s resignation, with details on Curaçao’s World Cup schedule and historical context.
Go deeper
- Will Advocaat’s return bring stability to Curaçao in the World Cup buildup?
- Which players are set to feature for Curaçao under Advocaat this summer?
- How does this change affect Curaçao’s chances in Group E with Germany, Ecuador, and Ivory Coast?
More on these topics
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Dick Advocaat - Dutch former football player
Dirk Nicolaas Advocaat is a Dutch former football player and coach who is currently the coach of the Iraq national football team. Advocaat was successful as a football player and as a coach, including three stints with the Netherlands national team.