According to Spanish newspaper AS, on July 8th, Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman engaged in a relaxed exchange with the media, sharing his insights on the upcoming European Championship semi-final against England. He also expressed concerns about the lack of respect often shown towards players and coaches. “I believe people should be more cautious when commenting on players or coaches, respect is a global principle. This issue is becoming increasingly prominent with the growth of TV programs and social media,” Koeman emphasized.
Koeman stood up for his star player Memphis Depay, who has faced considerable criticism during the tournament. “Memphis is approaching the top of the national team’s all-time goal scorer list, he deserves more respect.” Koeman firmly stated, adding that he has no intention of dropping Depay from the starting lineup. “He is my spearhead. Sometimes I ask him to drop back, like the way he played with Griezmann at Atlético Madrid. He can go further, but everyone has room for improvement. As a coach, I can see the progress that is being overlooked.”
When asked whether he would pair Depay with Wout Weghorst, Koeman remained open to the possibility: “To win Europe, capable players must be on the field in crucial matches like against England. In certain tactical setups, Weghorst might perform better than Depay.” As for the starting lineup for the semi-final, he revealed: “Depay might start, Weghorst might start, or even both of them together is not impossible.”
Commenting on their opponents England, Koeman assessed: “They are strong, it won’t be easy to win, but they have top-class players. They are facing even more media pressure than our country.”
Finally, Koeman confirmed that he will continue as the head coach of the Netherlands national team until the 2026 World Cup. He humorously stated: “I have extended my contract, they won’t be able to get rid of me so easily.” This statement echoes recent reports in the Dutch media about his contract extension with the national team.
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