Dutchman who succeeded Dick Advocaat was once offered assistant’s role to Ten Hag at Manchester United
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oon after the news broke last month that Fred Rutten would lead Curaçao at the World Cup, he received a text from one of the players. “Hey boss, welcome to the family,” read the message from the goalkeeper Eloy Room. It was a warm greeting for the coach called in to replace Dick Advocaat, who had led the small island to that historic qualification but stepped down to be with his ill daughter.
Rutten’s appointment may have been a surprise to the outside world – he has not held a coaching role for almost three years and has never led a national team – but his appointment did not come out of the blue.
The Curaçao football federation had first approached him before the qualifiers, in 2023. Although the Dutchman was enthusiastic, he could not take the position because of medical issues but recommended Advocaat, who achieved what seemed impossible by guiding The Blue Wave to the World Cup. When Advocaat stepped away, he suggested Rutten and the federation acted quickly on his advice.
