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Ronald Koeman, still as coach of FC Barcelona at the end of 2021
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SERGIO PEREZ / REUTERS
Ronald Koeman returns to the Dutch national soccer team and, after the World Cup in Qatar (November 21 to December 18), inherits the ailing bond coach Louis van Gaal.
This was announced by the three-time vice world champion on Wednesday.
Koeman, 59, will receive a contract until 2026. He had already coached Oranje from February 2018 to mid-2020, but then left for FC Barcelona.
He was released from there last October.
As a player, he played almost 200 games for Barça between 1989 and 1995, in which he scored 67 goals.
A few days ago, Van Gaal made it public that he had an "aggressive" form of prostate cancer.
In an interview with the Dutch broadcaster RTL for a forthcoming documentary about him, the 70-year-old reported that he had already undergone 25 radiation treatments.
However, the illness will not prevent him from looking after his team at the World Cup in Qatar.
At the time, he "didn't leave Elftal out of dissatisfaction," emphasized Koeman, and wanted to "continue" on the successful path.
According to the association, the fact that he will replace van Gaal has nothing to do with his illness.
Rather, van Gaal's contract ends with the upcoming World Cup, so Koeman was contacted in January.
"It's a very sensible decision," said van Gaal of his heirs: "A year ago I was the only available candidate with the necessary qualifications, now it's Ronald Koeman."
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