Koeman prepared for ‘difficult’ challenge

AFP, LONDON: Ronald Koeman says he is over the disappointment of being sacked by Everton and anticipating a “great game” against England on Friday in what will be his first match as Netherlands coach.

The 54-year-old European Cup and Euro 1988 winner -- who lost his job in October after his £140 million (159 million euros, $196 million) spending spree backfired spectacularly -- accepts returning the Dutch to their status as one of world football’s heavyweights is going to take time.

Koeman replaced the veteran Dick Advocaat, who had been one in a raft of unsuccessful appointments for the Oranje since Louis van Gaal stepped down after finishing third in the 2014 World Cup, in February.

The size of the task facing Koeman is a massive one as the Dutch -- who were World Cup finalists in 2010 -- have failed to reach either Euro 2016 or this year’s World Cup.

 

Koeman prepared for difficult challenge

AFP, LONDON: Ronald Koeman says he is over the disappointment of being sacked by Everton and anticipating a great game against England on Friday in what will be his first match as Netherlands coach. The 54-year-old European Cup and Euro 1988 winner -- who lost his job in October after his 140 million (159 million euros, $196 million) spending spree backfired spectacularly -- accepts returning the Dutch to their status as one of world footballs heavyweights is going to take time. Koeman replaced the veteran Dick Advocaat, who had been one in a raft of unsuccessful appointments for the Oranje since Louis van Gaal stepped down after finishing third in the 2014 World Cup, in February. The size of the task facing Koeman is a massive one as the Dutch -- who were World Cup finalists in 2010 -- have failed to reach either Euro 2016 or this years World Cup.