Virgil van Dijk tipped to retire from international football after Netherlands heartbreak

Ex-Netherlands star Ronald de Boer has predicted two major changes to follow the nation’s World Cup exit.

It follows their penalty shoot-out defeat to Morocco in the last 32 on Monday night.

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Ronald Koeman’s side were beaten 3-2 on spot-kicks following a 1-1 draw against their African opponents.

As a result, this summer’s tournament marks the first time the Netherlands have qualified and failed to reach the last 16.

Time for change

De Boer, who won 67 caps for his country, now expects Koeman to leave his role as manager.

The 63-year-old is out of contract at the end of the tournament.

Meanwhile, 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.

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.

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“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.

International legacy

As for Van Dijk, he was named captain by Koeman during his first spell as manager eight years ago.

The 34-year-old has scored 13 goals in 96 caps for the Netherlands, with his last strike coming in the group stage against Japan.

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However, the veteran defender turns 35 on July 8 and will be 37 by the end of Euro 2028.

Van Dijk missed Euro 2020 through injury but has featured at both the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024 since.