Dwight Lodeweges, the unknown successor to Koeman at the head of the Netherlands

From Ronald Koeman to Dwight Lodeweges: one year away from Euro football, rescheduled due to Covid, the Netherlands have offered themselves an unexpected facelift at the head of their selection, with the departure to Barcelona of the craftsman of the Dutch renaissance, Koeman.

But who is his successor?

The one who was appointed urgently - and temporarily - by the Dutch federation is far from presenting the same CV as Koeman, the former defender of the boom years of the Netherlands and Barcelona.

The one who was Koeman's assistant at the Oranje has in any case a golden opportunity to show what he can do, after a career on the benches where, most often assistant except for a few months at PSV Eindhoven in particular, he never managed to win.

“Ronald leaves me a beautiful legacy.

With enormous pressure because the new generation is more than promising ”

Dwight Lodeweges

This former professional first division player, at the end of the 70s, played in the Netherlands (Go Ahead Eagles) but also in Canada, the country where he was born.

On the bench of the Netherlands, at least it comes at a time when the selection, carried by young people whom Koeman has trusted, is reborn from its ashes.

“Ronald leaves me a beautiful legacy.

With enormous pressure because the new generation is more than promising, ”he admitted to

magazine

.

Koeman, however, remained only two years, amputated six months without football because of the Covid.

But under his leadership, the Netherlands have gone from a dying team to a machine capable of winning everything.

The Netherlands had not participated in the last Euro and World Cup.

They are once again becoming a stronghold of football in Europe.

The new Oranje are now familiar faces, and in the wake of Ajax's remarkable campaign last season, have now joined some of Europe's biggest teams: Frenkie De Jong at Barcelona, ​​Matthijs De Ligt at Juventus, Donny van from Beek to Manchester United.

And the safe bet Virgil Van Dijk shines with Liverpool, while in attack Memphis Depay finds its best level with Lyon.

"I do not worry.

I have a quality group.

But I also know - and I am well aware of it - that this group needs a charismatic coach, ”says Dwight Lodeweges.

The technician knows that this League of Nations is probably the only competition he will pass at the head of the selection.

Except exceptional results.

His mission will begin Friday against Poland (8:45 p.m.) in the League of Nations.

The French Arsène Wenger was quoted before declining.

Dick Advocaat, on the other hand, could who knows how to secure one last draw.

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