Name dance to replace Koeman: Van Gaal, Rijkaard, Ten Cate, De Boer …

The output of Ronald Koeman from the selection bench orange It has had a not good rebound effect for Dutch interests. The runner-up of the first edition of the League of Nations was in a sweet moment under the baton of the current Barcelona coach, despite losing the Nations League final to Portugal. But once the Wembley hero's march to the culé team has been consummated the essence that evoked the Clockwork Orange of yesteryear has been lost.

The Netherlands have played two games during this September break and have not given their best version. Victory by the minimum against Poland (1-0, goal by Bergwijn) and defeat to Italy (0-1, at the Johan Cruyff Arena). The temporary position on the bench has been occupied Dwight Lodeweges, Koeman's second in the national team, but his continuity beyond these two games is highly doubtful. Euro 2021 is nine months away and the Dutch Federation is in a hurry to find a definitive replacement and guarantees to fill the gap. Although the task is not being easy for him and there are many names on the KNVB table.

Hen Ten Cate (65 years old)

He is currently the favorite to take over the position. The middle Voetbal International He reported that A number of 'roosters' in the locker room had been asked about Koeman's replacement and his name was the one that rang loudest. “I don't know anything about KNVB but if players really mentioned my name, it's gratifying. The players are the best frame of reference for a coach, “said the coach who has worked in Ajax, Barcelona and Chelsea. One piece of information in favor of Ten Cate is his good feeling with the interim Lodeweges, since it was his second in the Go Ahead Eagles and they maintain a close relationship so it would make it easier for him to stay by his side. Ten Cate's latest experience has been the Saudi Arabian club, Al Ittihad Jehad, whom he has barely managed in nine games.

Louis Van Gaal (69 years)

“I'm retired”, the Dutch technical laureate was quick to say, but the truth is that he does not quite close the door to his third experience on the bench orange. Van Gaal has not trained since 2016 but his experience on the bench in the last 30 years is unquestionable. ANDa managed to take the team to third place at the 2014 World Cup. His first stage was very short between 2000 and 2001, after leaving the Barcelona bench for the first time.

Frank Rijkaard (57 years old)

He conquered everything possible with the Barcelona of Etoo, Ronaldinho and Deco, including the second Champions of Barcelona, ​​and after leaving the position in 2008 He has only had two experiences in the dugout (Galatasaray and the Saudi Arabian national team). Rijkaard considers himself retired as he has not trained since 2013 but his name is always associated with the Dutch national team bench, a position he held between 1998 and 2000. Professional football director Eric Gudde said he would seek a Koeman-type coach and the good Frank always fits. Do not forget that it was he who gave Messi the alternative and this selection from the Netherlands is full of talent to exploit.

Bert Van Marwijk (68 years old)

For Van Marwijk to return to the national team would be to return to the place where he has shone the most. its orange she was almost proclaimed world champion at the World Cup in South Africa. Spain prevented it. After his departure, he had an experience in German Hamburg and then focused on national team football: Saudi Arabia; Australia (went to the 2018 World Cup) and the last one, the United Arab Emirates. Since the beginning of the year he has been free and returning to the place where “he has been happiest” would not be unreasonable.

Frank de Boer (50 years)

Since it was known that he would make the jump to the bench, everyone praised his decision, since the eternal captain has always commanded a lot on the field. Now in his 50s, coaching the national team would be the main role of his life as a coach. After a good debut at Ajax, with which he won everything possible domestically for six seasons, he was not so lucky in his experiences at Inter Milan and Crystal Palace. His last job until this summer has been to coach Atlanta United of the MLS. It would be the perfect representative of the new sap that the KNVB could seek to supply Koeman. He was already second to Van Marwijk in the 2010 World Cup.

Mark Van Bommel (43 years old)

The choice of the former midfielder would be a surprise but the Netherlands need a hit. Jobless, after his bittersweet spell on the PSV Eindhoven bench, you already know the work of the national teams after being Van Marwijk's assistant coach in Arabia and Australia. If not now, it may be in the medium-long term future.

And without forgetting other names of illustrious former internationals who, faced with a formal offer to lead the Dutch national team in the next European Championship, could decide to abandon their current job. For example, Phillip Cocu, at 49 years old, Derby County coach. OR Giovanni van Bronckhorst, that at 45 he directs the Guangzhou R&F of the Chinese Super League. More complicated would be the cases of Erik ten hag (50 years, Ajax), from Peter bosz (56 years old, Bayer Leverkusen) or even the current brand new coach of Curaçao, Guus Hiddink, but nothing can be ruled out.