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  "path": "/sport/football/world-cup-manager-dick-advocaat-resigns-curacao",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-23T15:02:59.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Benfica footballer banned by Uefa following investigation over Vinicius Junior racism row",
    "Former Premier League star weighs in on Bafta 'racial slur' row as BBC forced to issue apology",
    "World Cup plunged into chaos as England and Scotland fans told do not travel after Mexico violence",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nDick Advocaat has stepped down as Curaçao head coach with immediate effect, departing the role to care for his daughter, who is facing serious health problems.\n\nThe 78-year-old Dutchman guided the Caribbean island nation to their maiden World Cup qualification in November but will not be on the touchline when they make their tournament debut this summer.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nCuraçao's football federation confirmed the resignation on Monday, announcing that Advocaat had chosen to dedicate his full attention to his family.\n\nThe veteran manager would have become the oldest coach in World Cup history had he remained in charge for the competition in the United States, Canada and Mexico.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAdvocaat took charge of the national team in January 2024.\n\nHe guided the team through an unblemished qualifying campaign, securing passage to the tournament without suffering a single defeat.\n\nThe group stage saw Curaçao overcome Bermuda, Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica.\n\nA draw against Jamaica in November sealed their historic berth.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nWith a population of approximately 150,000 to 185,000 residents, the Dutch Caribbean territory surpassed Iceland as the smallest nation ever to reach football's premier competition.\n\nAdvocaat himself described steering the tiny island to World Cup qualification as the \"craziest thing\" he had accomplished across a managerial career spanning nearly four decades.\n\nAdvocaat made clear that his departure was an inevitable choice given his personal circumstances.\n\nHe said: \"I've always said that family comes before football. This is therefore a natural decision.\"\n\n### LATEST SPORT NEWS\n\n\n\n\n  * Benfica footballer banned by Uefa following investigation over Vinicius Junior racism row\n  * Former Premier League star weighs in on Bafta 'racial slur' row as BBC forced to issue apology\n  * World Cup plunged into chaos as England and Scotland fans told do not travel after Mexico violence\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nDespite the difficult timing, the former Netherlands and South Korea World Cup manager expressed deep affection for his adopted nation.\n\nHe said: \"I will greatly miss Curaçao, its people, and my colleagues,\" he said.\n\nHe added: \"I consider qualifying the smallest nation in the world for the World Cup one of the highlights of my career. I am proud of my players, staff and board members who believed in us.\"\n\nFellow Dutchman Fred Rutten has been named as Advocaat's successor, taking charge of the national team ahead of their historic tournament appearance.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe 63-year-old brings considerable experience to the role, having previously managed PSV, Feyenoord and Belgian side Anderlecht during a 25-year coaching career.\n\nRutten paid tribute to his predecessor, saying: \"Advocaat is an icon in the football world. It's an honour to continue his work.\"\n\nGilbert Martina, president of the Curaçao Football Federation, said the nation \"will always remain grateful\" to Advocaat and that \"his decision commands nothing but respect\".\n\nCuraçao open their Group E campaign against Germany in Houston on June 14.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "World Cup manager resigns just months before tournament in major blow due to heartbreaking family issue"
}