Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman criticizes UEFA regarding fixture congestion

In a recent press conference, Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman spoke about the constant matches and how it affects the players and coaches. The head coach was quick to point out the authorities and their main reasons for this back-to-back matches. 

The former FC Barcelona manager said that, “UEFA and FIFA talk a lot but they don't listen to the players or the coaches. They don't listen to us about the number of matches we play. The most important thing for them is money.”

Can Ronald Koeman guide Netherlands to victory at UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany? 

Germany last organized the European Championship in 1988, and the Netherlands clinched the competition due to Marco van Basten's skill. Ronald Koeman, the current head coach, and his brother, Erwin, the Oranje assistant coach, were among the players that year.

Koeman became one of only two Euro 2024 head coaches who won the event as a player, with the other being France's Didier Deschamps. Failure to earn a spot for consecutive major international competitions caused significant anguish in the Netherlands. Their failure to qualify for Euro 2016 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup indicated that the 2021 European Championship was their first major tournament participation in seven years.

The Netherlands' strength comes from its defensive choices. Captain Virgil van Dijk will always start in central defense, while Premier League champion Nathan Aké, Tottenham's Micky van de Ven, and seasoned Stefan de Vrij (Inter) and Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich) provide an abundance of riches in terms of teammates for the Liverpool superstar.

Denzel Dumfries is a fixture on the right at full-back, however he is facing competition from Jeremie Frimpong, who had an exceptional season with Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen, and Feyenoord's Lutsharel Geertruida. Daley Blind, is still around after seeming re-energized in Girona's stunning UEFA Champions League qualification journey, and he'll compete for the left-back slot with Nathan Aké and Micky Van de Ven.