Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has been tipped to retire from international football following the Netherlands elimination from the 2026 World Cup.
Netherland were bundled out of the tournament by Morocco on Monday night. Following a 1-1 draw in normal and extra time, the European side lost on penalty shootout to their African counterpart.
Ronald Koeman’s side were beaten 3-2 on spot-kicks.
As a result, this summer’s tournament marks the first time the Netherlands have qualified and failed to reach the last 16.
Former Netherland star Ronald de Boer has now predicted two huge changes to follow the nation’s World Cup exit.
Firstly, De Boer who won 67 caps for his country expects Koeman to leave his role as manager.
The 63-year-old is out of contract at the end of the tournament, and it’s still unclear if he’ll be offered a new deal.
He has also tipped Virgil van Dijk to retire from international football.
Speaking to talkSPORT’s Hawksbee & Jacobs, De Boer was asked if he thinks there will be a change of manager.
Cody Gakpo celebrates with Virgil van Dijk after scoring his team’s first goal against Morocco. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
The former midfielder admitted: “Let me put it this way, I think he does it himself and I think he will because the pressure is high.
“And he said, ‘I’m going to think about it in maybe one night or maybe two nights’, but he’s going to step away for 100 per cent sure.
“He will do it on his own terms because if he’s not doing it, I think Nigel de Jong, the technical director of the federation, will do it.
“We need a new fire in this Dutch team and starting with the coach, I think that will happen.
“I think we’re going to hear that soon and I think also Van Dijk, he had the captain’s armband and he was an amazing captain, I think he will say probably that ‘this is my last game’.
“Yes a lot of criticism about not taking the team by the hand, but still, all the respect for Van Dijk because he has been a great captain, but sometimes it’s time to go.”
Koeman returned for a second spell as national team boss in 2023 before guiding the Netherlands to the semi-finals of Euro 2024.
It followed a previous stint in the role between 2018 and 2020. Meanwhile, Van Dijk was named captain by Koeman during his first spell as manager eight years ago.
