Van Dijk disappointed with Koeman leaving Netherlands National Team for Barca

Van Dijk disappointed with Koeman leaving Netherlands National Team for Barca

Van Dijk Koeman

Virgil Van Dijk was disappointed when the former Dutch manager was appointed at Barcelona. But he now knows why his former national boss wanted to coach the Spanish giants. Ronald Koeman was appointed at Camp Nou as a replacement for Quique Setien after a shameful loss against Bayern Munich. The Dutch manager was rumoured to return to the National side for Euro 2020, but his appointment at Barca cleared all the air.

But the pandemic caused the tournament to get delayed, which meanwhile had Koeman to grab the opportunity at Barcelona. All the Dutch international players were respectful for their former manager and hence, Van Dijk quoted “We are all disappointed to see such a great national team coach leave, but we give him this wholeheartedly“.

Telling about the current situation and Koeman’s decision, Van Dijk said “This time in which we live, the corona time with all the uncertainty that comes with it, the European Championship that will not take place with one hundred per cent with certainty, if such an opportunity comes along, I can understand it“.

FS Video

Van Dijk and the team respected Koeman’s decision

Being a senior and important player, Van Dijk told that Koeman had called him before signing the Barcelona contract. “I didn’t try to persuade him to stay then. It was of course also coming for a while. Nobody expected it to have happened so quickly, but we are very happy for him. Now we have to move on“, told Virgil Van Dijk.

With Koeman gone, Netherlands are now being managed by Dwight Lodeweges for the Nations League encounters against Poland and Italy. He had been an assistant with Koeman since 2018 and now has taken the main role.

Applauding Koeman’s decision, Van Dijk eventually quoted “You know how it works in the football world. He has turned down Barcelona twice. If he then gets a third chance, then you just give him that“. Netherlands will look to do good in the Nations League under the new manager.

Also Read: Former Ajax star Olsen says that Ziyech will be a success at Chelsea