Ronald Koeman has returned as Netherlands head coach taking over from Louis van Gaal, who stepped down from the role following the country’s exit from the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Koeman was previously appointed manager of the Netherlands national team on February 2018 but stepped down in August 2020 to take over the coaching reigns at Barcelona.
“In principle, we are going back to the system we played before,” said the former defender during a press conference.
“I also change the system sometimes, but we are going to form the basic system with four defenders. In the end, it’s all about the implementation of the system.
I also played with five players at the back at Barcelona, with three central defenders, and that went very well. Everything revolves around: put high pressure or let yourself sink. That makes a system offensive or not.”
He praised the achievement of his predecessor to take this side on an unbeaten run that was only ended by World Cup winners Argentina in the quarter-finals of the tournament.”
His first match will be 2024 Euro qualifier against France.