*This content was translated by AI.
Dick Advocaat (78), who previously coached the South Korean national football team, continues his career as a head coach.
Reuters reported on the 10th (Korea time) that "the Curaçao Football Association has extended its contract with manager Dick Advocaat." As a result, Advocaat will continue to lead the Curaçao national team until July next year.
The partnership between Curaçao and manager Advocaat has not been without significant ups and downs.
Advocaat led Curaçao to write new history at the 2026 FIFA North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup. For the first time in history, Curaçao secured a spot in the World Cup finals.
However, after achieving the great feat of qualifying for the World Cup finals, Advocaat stepped down from his coaching duties once in February this year due to health issues concerning his daughter.
Subsequently, as his daughter's condition stabilized and various test results came back positive, the bond between manager Advocaat and Curaçao was renewed.
Advocaat returned as head coach of the Curaçao national team in May, replacing Fred Rutten.
Upon returning, Advocaat also led Curaçao during the World Cup finals.
Curaçao finished the tournament in last place in Group E with one draw and two losses (one point). However, they secured their first-ever World Cup points by drawing 0-0 against Ecuador in the second group stage match.
Although they did not advance past the group stage, Advocaat wrote new history for Curaçao football by securing their first-ever World Cup finals appearance and their first-ever World Cup points.
This time, with a re-signing agreement concluded, he will continue his journey with Curaçao.
Advocaat expressed his affection for the Curaçao national team. He said, "They are an fantastic squad to work with," and added, "We have achieved something special together."
He further shared his thoughts on the re-signing, stating, "I look forward to continuing to develop based on the achievements we have made so far with the players and staff."
Reuters explained that "this contract signifies that manager Advocaat and the Caribbean nation of Curaçao have secured stability after going through a turbulent period."
Manager Advocaat is scheduled to announce the Na Seol (CEO) squad for upcoming 2026-2027 CONCACAF Nations League matches against Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Curaçao competes in Group A of League A in this tournament against Costa Rica, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic. Each team plays only four matches, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the quarterfinals.
Advocaat, who holds Dutch nationality, is also a very familiar name to Korean football fans.
He was appointed as head coach of the South Korean national team in 2005 and led the Taegeuk Warriors at the 2006 Germany World Cup.
At that time, South Korea defeated Togo 2-1 in their first group stage match, securing their first-ever victory in a World Cup away game. They then drew 1-1 with France but lost 0-2 to Switzerland in the final match, finishing with one win, one draw, and one loss, failing to advance to the round of 16.
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*This content was translated by AI.
