Al-Ittihad star Steven Bergwijn has blasted Ronald Koeman after the supervisor dropped him from the Netherlands’ UEFA Nations League squad. Bergwijn claimed the Saudi Professional League was higher than Eredivisie and stated he didn’t wish to play beneath Koeman anymore.
Ronald Koeman Axes Steven Bergwijn From Netherlands Squad After Saudi Swap
In a shocking transfer, Bergwijn joined Saudi Professional League facet Al-Ittihad from Eredivisie outfit Ajax in a £17.7 million ($23.32 million) transfer towards the top of the 2024-25 summer season switch window. He signed a three-year cope with the membership.
Within the aftermath of his swap, Koeman dropped Bergwijn from his Netherlands squad for the UEFA Nations League, bluntly stating he wouldn’t name him as much as the nationwide crew anymore.
“In Bergwijn’s case is that he goes on the age of 26, sporting ambition doesn’t prevail. Not everybody thinks, happily, the identical method. I believe if you find yourself 26 the principle ambition must be sporting and never monetary, however these are decisions gamers make.
“He may have stayed at Ajax, couldn’t he? And I believe they pay OK at Ajax too. However sure, it’s his selection. haven’t been in that state of affairs myself. I may go to Barcelona. I believe if Bergwijn may have gone to Barcelona, he wouldn’t have gone to Saudi Arabia both. The e book is principally closed for him, although. He has not contacted me about this. I believe he is aware of how I take into consideration this.”
Steven Bergwijn Says He Does Not Need To Play Beneath Ronald Koeman
Responding to Koeman’s explosive feedback and Netherlands snub, the Saudi Professional League star stated (through GOAL):
“I don’t even wish to play for this supervisor anymore. I received’t play for somebody who portrays me like he has performed within the media. He may have known as me to listen to my facet of the story. How can he say such issues with out speaking to me? If he had been a dedicated nationwide coach, he would have known as me first.
“Now I needed to hear it from the TV. I’ve additionally skilled many lovely moments with the nationwide coach, however I’m upset in him. I’ve at all times thought of it an honor to play for the Dutch nationwide crew. However beneath this nationwide coach, I not wish to do this.”
He continued:
“It’s a golden alternative by way of sport and finance.
“With a wage that I may by no means have dreamed of incomes as just a little boy. I can guarantee him [Koeman] that the competitors in Saudi Arabia is best than the one within the Netherlands.”
Berwijn, who has additionally performed for PSV Eindhoven and Tottenham Hotspur, was one of many key gamers for the Netherlands within the 2024 European Championships. The left-winger has thus far performed 35 video games for Oranje, scoring eight instances and offering three assists.
