Al-Ittihad star Steven Bergwijn has criticized Ronald Koeman for dropping him from the Netherlands’ UEFA Nations League squad. Bergwijn expressed his preference for the Saudi Pro League over Eredivisie and stated that he no longer wishes to play under Koeman’s management.
Ronald Koeman Axes Steven Bergwijn From Netherlands Squad After Saudi Switch
In a surprising move, Bergwijn made a £17.7 million ($23.32 million) switch from Eredivisie club Ajax to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad towards the end of the 2024-25 summer transfer window. He signed a three-year contract with the club.
Following his transfer, Koeman decided to exclude Bergwijn from the Netherlands squad for the UEFA Nations League, stating that he will not be called up to the national team anymore.
“In Bergwijn’s case, at the age of 26, sporting ambition does not outweigh financial motives. Not everyone shares the same perspective. I believe that at the age of 26, the primary focus should be on sporting ambition rather than financial gain, but individuals make their choices.”
“He had the option to stay at Ajax, right? I believe Ajax pays well too. However, it was his decision. I have not faced such a situation myself. I could have gone to Barcelona. I think if Bergwijn had the chance to move to Barcelona, he wouldn’t have chosen Saudi Arabia either. Nevertheless, the door has closed for him now. He has not reached out to me regarding this matter. He is aware of my stance on this issue.”
Steven Bergwijn Says He Does Not Want To Play Under Ronald Koeman
In response to Koeman’s remarks and the Netherlands team snub, the Saudi Pro League player expressed (via GOAL):
“I have no intentions of playing under this manager any longer. I refuse to play for someone who has portrayed me negatively in the media. He could have contacted me to hear my side of the story. How can he make such statements without speaking to me first? If he was a dedicated national coach, he would have reached out to me initially
“Instead, I found out through television. While I have shared many great moments with the national team coach, I am disappointed in him. It has always been an honor for me to represent the Dutch national team. However, under this coach, I no longer wish to do so.”
Bergwijn added:
“It presents a significant opportunity in terms of both athletics and finances
“With a salary that I could have never imagined earning as a young boy. I can guarantee him [Koeman] that the level of competition in Saudi Arabia surpasses that of the Netherlands.”
Bergwijn, who has previously played for PSV Eindhoven and Tottenham Hotspur, played a pivotal role for the Netherlands in the 2024 European Championships. The left-winger has appeared in 35 matches for Oranje, scoring eight goals and providing three assists.
