Ex-Premier League manager could make history at World Cup with dramatic U-turn as national team manager

Dick Advocaat could become the oldest coach in World Cup history and return as head coach of the Curacao national team.

talkSPORT understands talks between the parties are underway.

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It follows the resignation of Advocaat’s successor Fred Rutten ahead of the tournament following what the federation called ‘open and constructive’ talks.

Several Curacao players have been unhappy playing under Rutten and have called for 78-year-old Advocaat to return.

Advocaat stepped down earlier this year to prioritise his daughter’s health, but an improvement in her condition has led to an openness to manage Curacao once again.

The World Cup debutants play Germany in their opening match on June 14 in Houston. They will also face Ecuador and Ivory Coast.

Meanwhile, Curacao also face Scotland in a pre-tournament friendly on Saturday May 30.

Rutten resigns

“There must not be a climate that harms healthy professional relationships within the team or staff,” Rutten said as his announcement was confirmed on by the Curacao Football Federation on Monday.

“That is why stepping down is the right decision. Time is pressing and Curacao must move forward. I regret how things unfolded, but I wish everyone the best.

“FFK praised Rutten’s professionalism, leadership, and commitment to Curacao football, emphasizing that he put the team’s interests above his own ahead of important upcoming matches,” the federation added in a statement.

“FFK’s board will decide on next steps today. The federation’s focus is now on maintaining calm around the national team and continuing to build toward Curacao’s sporting ambitions.”

The federation also revealed that a press conference would be held on Tuesday for further updates.

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Record-breakers

Curacao will be the smallest nation by population to compete at a World Cup having qualified for the first time ever.

The Dutch territory will surpass Iceland’s record as they have approximately 156,000 inhabitants, in comparison to 350,000.

The team’s success could be largely thanked to its strategic recruitment of players born and raised in the Netherlands.

The country secured FIFA‘s permission as they changed national eligibility to include players who already represented the Netherlands at youth or U-21s level.

Advocaat now looks set to lead them. The managerial icon was a previous manager of Sunderland, appointed after Gus Poyet in March 2015.

He lost his first match in charge, however he redeemed himself after winning 1-0 against Newcastle in the Tyne-Wear derby.

The former PSV Eindhoven manager guided the Black Cats to Premier League safety with one game remaining, the team finished in 16th place, three points above the relegation zone.

He left the club a week later, announcing the end of his managerial career yet decided to reverse his decision a few days later and signed a one-year contract with the club.

Nevertheless, the North East side struggled at the start of the season, which meant the Dutchman left in October 2017, with a record of four wins, six draws and nine losses.

Advocaat, an experienced national manager, has previously led the Netherlands and South Korea to World Cups.

The well-travelled coach has also had a spell with Rangers, where he won two Scottish league titles and three domestic cups.

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