Virgil van Dijk has strongly denied claims that he influenced Ronald Koeman’s decision to switch the Netherlands to a back five during their disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign.
The Netherlands captain faced questions over his alleged involvement in the tactical change during a tense press conference ahead of Thursday’s Nations League meeting with Germany.
Van Dijk dismissed the suggestion that he had played a role in the decision, insisting tactical plans were the responsibility of the coaching staff.
Fiction not facts
“One of your colleagues also said, of course, that it was my idea to switch to playing with a back five. That is utter nonsense,” Van Dijk said.
“The fact is we simply failed at the World Cup. Those are the hard facts. We didn’t play a good World Cup.
“It’s not about me. You perform together. You’re a team.”
The Netherlands had used a back four during the group stage before Koeman opted for five defenders against Morocco in the Round of 32.
The change ultimately failed to prevent Morocco from taking the match to penalties after Issa Diop’s late equaliser, with the Netherlands losing the shootout 3-2.
Koeman subsequently left his position as head coach.
Netherlands’ failures not on Koeman
Van Dijk also rejected suggestions that he and Koeman were responsible for damaging Dutch football.
“The plan is devised by the staff. Nonsense is being spread so that I look even worse. That happens far too often,” he added.
“I was told it was my fault we played with five, that Ronald Koeman and I have destroyed Dutch football.”
Despite the controversy surrounding his role, Van Dijk remains Netherlands captain under new head coach Xavi Hernández.
The defender had considered his international future following the World Cup but decided to continue after speaking with the former Barcelona boss.
Xavi has begun a new era with the Netherlands and has retained Van Dijk as a key figure as they prepare for the Nations League and qualification for Euro 2028.
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Juliette White