CARACAS: Veteran Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, who led Curacao to World Cup qualification, will return as coach for the tournament after his successor Fred Rutten resigned.

“Advocaat is returning,” the president of the Curacao Football Federation (FFK), Gilbert Martina, told AFP in a phone message.

Advocaat, 78, was in charge when the Caribbean island reached the finals but resigned three months later because of his daughter’s health.

His fellow Dutchman Rutten took over, but Curacao suffered two comprehensive friendly defeats in March, losing 5-1 to fellow World Cup qualifiers Australia and 2-0 to China.

On Monday, the FFK said Rutten, 63, had resigned following “constructive discussions” among federation officials.

“There must not be a climate that harms healthy professional relationships within the team or staff,” Rutten said. “That is why stepping down is the right decision. Time is pressing and Curacao must move forward. I regret how things unfolded, but I wish everyone the best.”

Reports in the Dutch media suggest Advocaat agreed to return to his former role because his daughter’s health has improved.

The tiny former Dutch colony has been drawn in a daunting Group ‘E’ against Germany, Ecuador and Ivory Coast.

Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2026