Ronald Koeman thinks it is inappropriate to already answer questions about the Dutch national team. The 59-year-old trainer will officially replace Louis van Gaal as of January 1, 2023 as national coach of the Dutch. Koeman will soon be watching the matches of the Dutch national team at the World Cup in Qatar with the necessary interest.
Koeman does not plan to travel to Qatar in November to see the the Dutch at work. “There are several reasons for that, but I can mainly imagine that when I am there, I am constantly asked what I think,” he says in conversation with the General Newspaper. “It is of no use to anyone. I will start in January and then it will be my turn to answer questions.”
The born Zaandammer indicates that Qatar does not attract him anyway. “It’s just not attractive to go there. Qatar is not a football country. I am curious what it will be like, such a World Cup in the winter. I wonder if the stadiums will be full. I can’t imagine it, it’s very expensive for supporters,” said Koeman.
According to the future national coach, it is difficult to estimate how the Dutch national team is doing. “It’s so special that it’s finished in the middle of a season. There is hardly any preparation and the national coaches have to wait and see if the players they need are really fit.” Koeman also does not dare to say how strong countries such as Brazil and Argentina are compared to the title favorites from Europe. “And take Qatar itself, they have been together for months and I think they mainly brought in Brazilians. That will undoubtedly just be a strong team.”
The the Dutch squad was linked to Qatar, Senegal and Ecuador in the draw of the World Cup. The Dutch national team will play the first group match on Monday, November 21 at 5 PM (Dutch time), after which group matches against Ecuador (Friday November 25, 5 PM) and host country Qatar (November 29, 4 PM).