The Netherlands’ 2026 FIFA World Cup ended in disappointment on Tuesday after a heartbreaking Round of 32 exit to Morocco. Entering the knockout stage with genuine hopes of making a deep run, the Dutch were eliminated in a penalty shootout after conceding a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer. The defeat marked another painful World Cup exit for one of international football’s traditional powers and immediately sparked questions about the team’s future.
Those questions were answered quickly. Less than a day after the defeat, Ronald Koeman resigned as Netherlands head coach, ending his second spell in charge. The Dutch Football Association is now searching for a replacement, with the focus shifting toward who will lead one of Europe’s most talented squads into the next international cycle.
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Just days after Koeman’s resignation, another development emerged, this time involving one of the most influential figures in Dutch football history. On Thursday, Ajax announced that Louis van Gaal had stepped down from his role as adviser to the club’s Supervisory Board.
“Louis van Gaal has stepped down as adviser to the Supervisory Board of AFC Ajax NV. He informed the Supervisory Board of his decision. Van Gaal had been advising the Supervisory Board on football-related matters since October 2023.”
While there has been no suggestion from either Ajax or Van Gaal that his resignation is linked to the Netherlands vacancy, many supporters have already begun speculating about whether the veteran manager could be tempted into another stint with the national team. Given his history with the Oranje, his name is certain to be part of the conversation until a new head coach is appointed.
Van Gaal has managed the Netherlands on three separate occasions, most recently at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He guided the Dutch to the quarterfinals, where they produced one of the tournament’s most memorable performances against eventual champions Argentina. After scoring twice in stoppage time to force extra time, the Netherlands ultimately fell in a penalty shootout.
Van Gaal stepped down following the tournament, bringing his third spell in charge to a close. Now, less than four years later, his name has entered the discussion again as Dutch football finds itself searching for another manager.
