Dick Advocaat returns as Curacao coach for World Cup
CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP) — Veteran Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, who led Curacao to World Cup qualification, will return as coach for the tournament after his successor Fred Rutten resigned.
“Advocaat is returning,” President of the Curacao Football Federation (FFK), Gilbert Martina, told AFP in a phone message.
Advocaat, 78, was in charge when the Caribbean island reached the finals but resigned three months later because of his daughter’s health.
His fellow Dutchman Rutten took over, but Curacao suffered two comprehensive friendly defeats in March, losing 5-1 to fellow World Cup qualifiers Australia and 2-0 to China.
On Monday, the FFK said Rutten, 63, had resigned following “constructive discussions” among federation officials.
Reports in the Dutch media suggest Advocaat agreed to return to his former role because his daughter’s health has improved.
READ: Curacao World Cup preparations rocked as coach resigns
