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Friday March 29, 2024

Dutch great Koeman prepared for ‘big and difficult’ challenge

By AFP
March 21, 2018

LONDON: Ronald Koeman says he is over the disappointment of being sacked by Everton and anticipating a “great game” against England on Friday in what will be his first match as Netherlands coach.

The 54-year-old European Cup and Euro 1988 winner — who lost his job in October after his £140 million spending spree backfired spectacularly.The size of the task facing Koeman is a massive one as the Dutch — who were World Cup finalists in 2010 — have failed to reach either Euro 2016 or this year’s World Cup.

“We are here,” Koeman told the Daily Mail.“It is a new challenge. It is one I couldn’t say no to.“It is an honour to be the Holland coach and I am looking forward with all I have to trying to get the country moving forward again. “I want to take us to the next big tournament in 2020. That is the aim.“It is a big and difficult challenge. Everybody knows this.”