World Cup debutant Curaçao parts with coach amid reports Advocaat could return

TL;DR

Curaçao has parted ways with coach Fred Rutten just weeks before their World Cup debut, amid speculation that Dick Advocaat may return to lead the team. The decision follows Rutten's poor performance in warmup matches and player dissatisfaction.

Key points

Curaçao parts ways with coach Fred Rutten
Dick Advocaat may return as head coach
Curaçao's World Cup debut is against Germany
Rutten's tenure included losses in warmup matches
Curaçao is the smallest nation by population to qualify for a men's World Cup

Mentioned in this story

Fred RuttenDick Advocaat

CuraçaoGermanyEcuadorIvory Coast

WILLEMSTAD, Curaçao (AP) — World Cup debutant Curaçao parted company with coach Fred Rutten on Monday amid reports Dutch veteran Dick Advocaat is returning to the team he led through qualifying. The uncertainty around the smallest nation by population ever to qualify for a men's World Cup comes less than five weeks before a testing opening game against Germany in Houston. Rutten took the job in February after the 78-year-old Advocaat stepped down citing his daughter’s health issues. Under Rutten, the team lost two warmup games in March — against Australia and China, both in Australia — with players reportedly wanting Advocaat back. “I regret how things unfolded but I wish everyone the best,” Rutten said in a statement posted by the Curaçao soccer federation. He previously coached Dutch clubs Twente, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord, and Schalke in Germany. The federation is expected to hold a news conference on Tuesday. Curaçao is joined by Ghana, Morocco and Saudi Arabia in changing coaches since the World Cup draw in December. Curaçao is an autonomous territory of about 156,000 people in the Caribbean within the Netherlands kingdom. The team relies almost entirely on players born and raised in the Netherlands. The team also will play in Kansas City and in Philadelphia at the first 48-team World Cup. The expanded format gave three extra guaranteed entries to CONCACAF. Advocaat took his native Netherlands to the quarterfinals at the previous World Cup in the United States, in 1994, and coached at the 2006 edition in Germany. \\_ AP World Cup:

Q&A

Why did Curaçao part ways with coach Fred Rutten?

Curaçao parted ways with Fred Rutten due to poor performance in warmup matches and reports of player dissatisfaction, with many wanting Dick Advocaat back.

What are the upcoming matches for Curaçao in the World Cup?

Curaçao will face Germany in their opening game, followed by matches against Ecuador and Ivory Coast.

Who is Dick Advocaat and what is his history with Curaçao?

Dick Advocaat is a veteran Dutch coach who previously led Curaçao through World Cup qualifying before stepping down due to personal reasons.