Curaçao Parts Ways with Coach Amid Advocaat Return Rumors

Curaçao, having made its World Cup debut, parted ways with coach Fred Rutten on Monday, as reports suggested that Dutch veteran Dick Advocaat could be returning to the team he previously led during the qualification rounds. The unexpected coaching change came less than five weeks before their challenging opening match against Germany scheduled in Houston.

Rutten had taken over the coaching position in February after Advocaat stepped down, citing health issues related to his daughter. Under Rutten's guidance, the team struggled in two warmup matches in March, facing defeats against Australia and China, both held in Australia. Reports indicated that players expressed a desire for Advocaat to return to the helm.

In a statement issued by the Curaçao soccer federation, Rutten expressed his regret over the circumstances, stating, "I regret how things unfolded but I wish everyone the best." Rutten’s coaching background includes stints at prominent Dutch clubs such as Twente, PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord, and a spell at Schalke in Germany.

The Curaçao soccer federation is expected to hold a news conference on Tuesday to discuss the coaching change. Alongside Curaçao, teams including Ghana, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia have also undergone coaching changes since the World Cup draw held in December.

Curaçao, a Caribbean autonomous territory with a population of approximately 156,000, relies predominantly on players who were born and raised in the Netherlands.