Ronald Koeman pledged Monday to take the Netherlands back to playing attractive, attacking football as he began his second stint in charge of the national team that lost in the World Cup quarterfinals to eventual winners Argentina.<\/p>\n
Koeman, who had been named as successor to Van Gaal last year already, was officially unveiled on Monday at a news conference and said he would field a team with four defenders again, rather than the three centre backs and two wing backs that Van Gaal had preferred over the last 18 months.<\/p>\n
The 59-year-old Koeman said he wanted a return to the positive play of his first period as national coach from 2018-20, when he led a talented young team to qualification for the European Championship and the inaugural final of the Nations League.<\/p>\n
He looked back not only on those achievements, \u201cbut the way we did it. We really want to get back to that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
His comments came after some sections of the Dutch sports media were critical of Koeman\u2019s predecessor, Louis van Gaal, for what they perceived as a defensive style of play at the World Cup in November and December.<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw moments in matches when I thought, \u2018This can be different, this must be different,’\u201d Koeman said of his experience watching the Netherlands in Qatar.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the Netherlands we try to play \u2014 and that is often the most difficult path \u2014 good, attractive, attacking football,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Referring to Van Gaal\u2019s impressive undefeated run up to the World Cup quarterfinals, Koeman said: \u201c20 internationals without losing \u2014 it would be unbeliveable if I also manage that.\u201d<\/p>\n
But, he added: \u201cI think it can be done differently and I want to do it differently.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have to demonstrate I can be a successful coach who is successful at a major tournament,\u201d he said. \u201cThe first step is qualifiers for the European Championship that begins in March.\u201d<\/p>\n
Koeman\u2019s first match in the qualification round is a tough one \u2014 the Netherlands plays losing World Cup finalists France on March 24 in Paris. Also in the qualification group are Ireland, Greece and Gibraltar.<\/p>\n
Source: espn<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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