World Cup debutants Curacao have parted ways with head coach Fred Rutten just one month before the tournament begins, the Curacao Football Federation confirmed on Monday.
Curacao, the smallest nation by population ever to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, appointed the 63-year-old Dutchman in February after his predecessor Dick Advocaat stepped down for personal reasons. Rutten’s tenure lasted just three months.
A statement posted on Instagram by the Curacao Football Federation (FFK) said Rutten had resigned following “constructive discussions” among federation leaders, without specifying the reasons for his departure.
Rutten, in his own words, said he stepped down to protect stability within the national team setup. “There must not be a climate that harms healthy professional relationships within the team or staff,” he said. “That is why stepping down is the right decision. Time is pressing and Curacao must move forward. I regret how things unfolded, but I wish everyone the best.”
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A Difficult Three Months
Rutten’s brief stint was not without turbulence on the pitch either. Under his charge, Curacao suffered two heavy friendly defeats in March a 5-1 loss to fellow World Cup qualifiers Australia and a 2-0 defeat to China.
What Comes Next
No immediate announcement was made regarding Rutten’s replacement. Curacao faces a daunting task at the World Cup, having been drawn in Group E alongside Germany, Ecuador, and Ivory Coast.
The FFK said it would “decide on next steps” later Monday. “The federation’s focus is now on maintaining calm around the national team and continuing to build toward Curacao’s sporting ambitions,” the statement read.
A press conference has been scheduled for Tuesday, the federation said, which will provide “further explanation regarding developments” following Rutten’s appointment in February and his departure three months later.
