Former Rangers boss Dick Advocaat steps down from Curacao ahead of World Cup due to daughter's health

Former Rangers manager Dick Advocaat has stepped down as Curacao boss ahead of the coming FIFA World Cup due to his daughter’s health.

The 78-year-old would’ve become the oldest coach to ever manage a nation at the FIFA World Cup, beating Otto Rehhagel’s previous record, set in 2010, when the German coached Uruguay at 71 years and 317 days old.

The Dutchman led Curacao to its first-ever FIFA World Cup after stepping in in January 2024, making the Caribbean island the smallest nation ever to qualify.

They’ll kick off their tournament against Germany in Houston before clashes with Ecuador and Ivory Coast.

However, on Monday, Advocaat decided to step down just months before the tournament due to his daughter’s health.

“I have always said that family comes before football,” Advocaat said in a statement released by the Curaçau Football Federation (FFK) on Monday.

“This is therefore a natural decision. That said, I will greatly miss Curacao, its people, and my colleagues. I consider qualifying the smallest nation in the world for the World Cup one of the highlights of my career.

“I am proud of my players, staff and board members who believed in us.”

Advocaat previously led Rangers to five major trophies, including a domestic treble and two SPL titles.