Fred Rutten has resigned as coach of the Curacao national team, the country’s ​football federation (FFK) announced on Monday, potentially clearing the way ‌for a return of his predecessor Dick ​Advocaat ahead of the World Cup.

The ⁠resignation marks a sharp reversal for the FFK, which on Friday issued a firm rejection of calls ‌from players and sponsors to reinstate Advocaat.

The FFK said Rutten’s departure followed “open and ‌constructive” talks between the coach and federation ‌president ⁠Gilbert Martina. The federation noted that while ⁠Rutten was not the direct subject of internal dispute, he chose to step down to protect the squad’s professional ​environment.

“A climate that damages ‌healthy professional relationships among players and staff must not be allowed to emerge,” Rutten was quoted as saying in a federation statement ‌on social media. “It is prudent to step ​back. Time is pressing and Curacao must move forward.”

Advocaat, 78, led the Caribbean ⁠island to historic World Cup qualification last November but stepped down in February to care for ‌his daughter, who was suffering from a serious illness. Rutten was then appointed as his replacement.

Dutch media reports on Monday suggested that Advocaat is now open to a return following improvements in his daughter’s health.

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The veteran coach, who ‌would become the oldest manager in World Cup history if ​he travels to the tournament, is backed by a significant portion of the ⁠dressing room, reports said.

A press conference has been scheduled ⁠for Tuesday to provide further details on the transition.

Curacao begins its World Cup ‌campaign with a Group E match against Germany in Houston on June 14.

Published on May 12, 2026