Football
Ronald Koeman Bluntly Ends Netherlands Star’s International Career Following Move To Saudi Arabia
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Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has hit out at winger Steven Bergwijn after his move to Saudi Arabia.
The 26-year-old former Tottenham man joined Al-Ittihad from Ajax on Monday in a deal worth £17.7m.
Bergwijn spent two years back in the Dutch capital after leaving Spurs, but now joins the likes of Fabinho, Karim Benzema, Moussa Diaby and N’Golo Kante at Saudi giants Al-Ittihad.
However, the decision to leave his home country has not gone down well with the national team coach.
After scoring 29 goals and providing 12 assists in his two years back in Amsterdam, Bergwijn appears to have sacrificed his international career.
He has won 35 caps to date, and was part of Koeman’s squad at Euro 2024, helping the Dutch side make the semi-finals.
Despite being a mainstay in recent squads, he was not selected for the upcoming Nations League games against Germany and Bosnia & Herzegovina, and appears unlikely to feature again.
Ronald Koeman On Steven Bergwijn’s Saudi Move
Speaking on Tuesday, Ronald Koeman was damning in his assessment of Bergwijn’s move.
He said: “Steven Bergwijn goes to Saudi Arabia at the age of 26. It’s clear that this has nothing to do with sporting ambition.
“His book with the Dutch National Team is closed.”
Asked if Bergwijn has discussed a potential move to Saudi with him, Koeman added: “No, he probably knows what I would have said.”
Ajax Greatful For Steven Bergwijn Saudi Deal Freeing Up Funds
For the winger’s former club, the move has provided vital funds in order to draft in a replacement.
Ajax technical director Alex Kroes said: “Steven and Ajax have made no secret of the fact that, if a good offer came from abroad, he would make the move.
“That has now happened at the last minute, giving the club the necessary financial flexibility to hopefully bring in a suitable replacement in the short term.
“We have wished our captain from last season much success in the next stage of his career.”
Bergwijn will link up with former France and PSG manager, Laurent Blanc. Both will be hoping for an improvement on Al-Ittihad’s fifth-placed campaign last season.
So far, they have won both their league matches, and face Al-Wehda after the international break.