Ronald Koeman set to replace Louis Van Gaal after the World Cup

Ronald Koeman will replace Louis Van Gaal as the head coach of the Dutch national teams after the World Cup with the latter battling cancer. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Former Everton and Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman will make a swift return to management with the Netherlands after the World Cup following Louis Van Gaal’s announcement last weekend that he was fighting aggressive prostate cancer.

Koeman was in charge of the Oranje for two and half years, a period of relative success for the Dutch national team before he left for Barcelona. It didn’t pan out well in Catalonia but Van Gaal gave his blessings before Koeman made the switch.

There’s a level of relationship among the Dutch veterans with Van Gaal also speaking with Erik Ten Haag over his interview at Manchester United to take over from Ralf Rangnick.

"They consulted me, I have a say in that," Louis Van Gaal told De Telegraaf. "It's not that difficult. A year ago, I was the only coach available who had experience, which now applies to Koeman. He would be a good successor."

Koeman added in a statement from KNVB: "I am looking forward to the new collaboration. A little over a year and a half ago, I certainly did not leave the Dutch national team out of dissatisfaction.

"My stay felt good, the results were good, and the click with the internationals was good. We will soon continue on that path. That is certainly for me."

Koeman helped the Netherlands to qualify for the Euro 2020 finals after they had missed the previous tournament and the 2018 World Cup, and o the final of the Nations League, where they lost 1-0 to Portugal.

He left for what he described as his "dream job" at Barcelona in August 2020, having spent a hugely successful six years at the Camp Nou as a player.