Koeman is planning to build a formidable Dutch team
Netherlands were talked up by coach Louis van Gaal in Qatar late last year with the wily old tactician hoping his predictions of imminent World Cup glory might engender the necessary self-belief for his players to win the tournament.
But even if the players believed him, they were just not good enough. They made a dramatic comeback against Argentina and only went out on post-match penalties in the quarter-finals, which really was as far as they were capable of going.
That was the end of Van Gaal’s third spell in charge and one in which the Dutch were unbeaten in 20 matches.
Ronald Koeman now takes over as coach, returning for his second spell as national coach. Koeman, who turned 60 yesterday, was appointed Dutch coach in early 2018 after spells in the English Premier League with Southampton and Everton. But he left after about two years, unable to resist an offer to coach Barcelona that he called his “dream job”.
It proved anything but that with no success in 14 months, despite his formidable record with the Catalan giants in his playing days. He now says he will not be going back to club football and believes there is potential to build something with the Dutch team.
He faces a tough baptism of fire in Paris tomorrow away against World Cup runners-up France. Thereafter is an easy clash at home to Gibraltar next week and then in June, the Dutch host the Nations League semi-finals. They are up against Croatia in the one and Italy play Spain in the other. With home advantage, Koeman believes his side can win a major title.
It is a side with Frenkie de Jong as the midfield kingpin and emerging talent like Cody Gakpo in attack. Defensively they still have the steady hand of skipper Virgil van Dijk and Daley Blind, who will earn his 100th cap against the French.
Young talents like Noa Lang, Ryan Gravenberch, Xavi Simons and Jurrien Timmer means there is plenty of opportunity for Koeman to build a strong team, but he is likely to begin with a bumpy ride in Paris.