Dick Advocaat has stepped down as head coach of Curaçao national football team, just three months after guiding the Caribbean nation to a historic World Cup qualification — making them the smallest country ever to reach the tournament.
The 78-year-old Dutchman resigned to focus on his daughter, who is reportedly facing serious health challenges, according to Dutch outlet AD.
“I’ve always said that family comes before football,” said the former Rangers F.C., Sunderland A.F.C. and Fenerbahçe S.K. manager. “This is a natural decision. That said, I will greatly miss Curaçao, its people and my colleagues. Qualifying the smallest nation in the world for the World Cup is one of the highlights of my career. I’m proud of my players, staff and board members who believed in us.”
Advocaat will be succeeded immediately by fellow Dutch coach Fred Rutten.
The veteran manager had earlier missed the decisive World Cup qualifier against Jamaica in Kingston last November due to his wife’s illness, returning home before the match. Reports later said he was moved to tears while watching on television as Curaçao secured a 0-0 draw to seal their historic qualification.
At this summer’s tournament, Curaçao have been drawn in a challenging group alongside Germany, Ecuador and Ivory Coast.