Dick Advocaat has resigned as head coach of the Curaçao national football team, just weeks before the country is set to make its World Cup debut. The 78-year-old Dutchman cited family reasons, saying he needs to focus on his daughter's health issues.
The Curaçao Football Federation announced the decision on social media, stating that Advocaat stepped down with immediate effect. In a statement, Advocaat said: 'I have always said that family comes before football.' He described leading the Caribbean island of about 150,000 people to the World Cup as the 'craziest thing' in his nearly four-decade managerial career.
Advocaat, who has managed the Netherlands three times, took charge of Curaçao in 2024. He would have become the oldest coach in World Cup history. His compatriot Fred Rutten, a former Netherlands international and manager of PSV, Anderlecht and Feyenoord, will replace him.
Curaçao begin their World Cup campaign on 14 June against Germany in Houston, Texas, as part of Group E.
