September 3rd 2024.
Dutch football manager Ronald Koeman has recently made a bold decision that has caught the attention of many. He has decided to remove former Premier League player Steven Bergwijn from the Netherlands squad. This decision comes after Bergwijn's move to the Saudi Pro League, which was announced on Monday.
Bergwijn, who previously played for Tottenham Hotspur, had a successful stint with Dutch club Ajax before his transfer. Despite his impressive performance in the Eredivisie, he was unable to secure a permanent spot in Tottenham's starting lineup during his three-season stay. This resulted in only eight goals in 83 appearances in all competitions.
The 26-year-old has represented his country 35 times, including two appearances in the Dutch team that reached the semi-finals of the Euro 2024. However, Koeman has made it clear that Bergwijn will no longer be considered for selection due to his recent transfer. The manager expressed disappointment in the player's lack of ambition, stating that at his age, sporting goals should outweigh financial gains.
Koeman, who has played for renowned clubs like Ajax, PSV, and Barcelona, also shared his personal thoughts on Bergwijn's decision. He stated that he has never been in a similar situation because he had the opportunity to play for Barcelona. He also mentioned that Bergwijn could have stayed at Ajax, which is still a respectable club.
While Bergwijn has been dropped from the squad, Koeman has also not called up experienced striker Memphis Depay, who is currently without a club. However, the manager did receive some good news when the team's captain, Virgil van Dijk, decided to stay on with the national team until the 2026 World Cup. This was after Koeman had a face-to-face conversation with the Liverpool centre-back in England.
Koeman shared his thoughts on the importance of talking to van Dijk and ensuring that he was fully committed to the team for the next two years. He also addressed the issue of van Dijk not performing up to his usual standards during the Euro 2024, stating that he may have put too much energy into others rather than himself because of his role as captain.
The Netherlands will be playing Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany in the coming days, and Koeman's decisions have certainly sparked some discussions. Only time will tell if his choices will lead to success on the field.
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