Ronald Koeman pledged Monday to take the Netherlands again to having fun with enticing, attacking soccer as he started his second stint answerable for the nationwide workforce that misplaced on the planet Cup quarterfinals to eventual winners Argentina.
Koeman, who had been named as successor to Van Gaal final 12 months already, was formally unveiled on Monday at a information convention and mentioned he would area a workforce with 4 defenders as quickly as extra, comparatively than the three centre backs and two wing backs that Van Gaal had most effectively-favored over the final 18 months.
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The fifty nine-12 months-outdated Koeman mentioned he needed a return to the constructive play of his first interval as nationwide coach from 2018-20, when he led a gifted youthful workforce to qualification for the eu Championship and the inaugural remaining of the Nations League.
He regarded again not solely on these achievements, “however the method whereby we did it. we actually should get again to that,” he mentioned.
His suggestions obtained here after some sections of the Dutch sports activities media have been essential of Koeman’s predecessor, Louis van Gaal, for what they perceived as a defensive style of play on the World Cup in November and December.
“I noticed moments in matches as quickly as i assumed, ‘this may seemingly be completely different, this should be completely different,'” Koeman mentioned of his expertise watching the Netherlands in Qatar.
“inside the Netherlands we try to play — and that is typically primarily the most tough path — good, enticing, attacking soccer,” he mentioned.
Referring to Van Gaal’s spectacular undefeated run as a lot as a consequence of the World Cup quarterfinals, Koeman mentioned: “20 internationals with out dropping — it may be unbeliveable if I additionally handle that.”
however, he added: “i really feel it may be accomplished in a single other method and that i actually should do it in a single other method.”
requested whether or not he had spoken to Van Gaal, who had always been as a consequence of depart after the World Cup, Koeman mentioned: “No. I even have not accomplished and that i do not discover that consideration-grabbing both. i’ve my very personal ideas and expertise. i do not assume it is essential.”
however when his dream job — teaching Barcelona — opened up after Quique Setien was fired, Koeman stop and moved again to the membership the place he made his title as an uncompromising defender and the place he nonetheless lives.
Koeman lasted decrease than two seasons at Barcelona earlier than being fired as a consequence of the membership struggled inside the Spanish league and Champions League.
Now he says he has one factor to show in his second stint with the Netherlands.
“i’ve to show I may be a worthwhile coach who’s worthwhile at a extreme event,” he mentioned. “the first step is qualifiers for the eu Championship that begins in March.”
Koeman’s first match inside the qualification spherical is a troublesome one — the Netherlands performs dropping World Cup finalists France on March 24 in Paris. additionally inside the qualification group are ireland, Greece and Gibraltar.
information from Reuters contributed to this report.
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