Ronald Koeman sparks controversy with Ruud van Nistelrooy birthday absence ahead of Netherlands' World Cup campaign - 'Not acceptable'
Published 09/06/2026 at 12:02 GMT+1
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Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman says he has ”no problem” with assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy joining up with the squad late ahead of the World Cup due to a birthday party.
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This is despite Koeman not allowing Quinten Timber to leave the Dutch camp to watch his twin brother Jurrien in the UEFA Champions League final.
Former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker Van Nistelrooy was appointed to Koeman’s coaching staff earlier this year.
He did not travel to New York with the rest of the squad last Thursday ahead of the World Cup and instead joined up with them on Sunday.
Van Nistelrooy’s absence from the training camp last week was originally noted as a "private matter" by the Dutch Football Association.
But Koeman has now revealed it was because he was having a 50th birthday party in Den Bosch.
"I knew about that when we asked Ruud to join the Oranje technical staff," said Koeman after the Netherlands’ 2-1 friendly win over Uzbekistan.
"Ruud could not cancel that party, because he and his wife had invited many guests, many of whom were coming from abroad to celebrate his 50th birthday.
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"The moment we discussed it, I gave him permission. I had known for several months, and the players largely knew it too. So that wasn't a problem.”
The Netherlands are in Group F at the World Cup and start their campaign against Japan on Sunday, June 14.
Koeman says he had no concerns about Van Nistelrooy, who turns 50 on July 1, not being with the team on their arrival in the US.
"That was no problem. I also have absolutely no doubt about Ruud's dedication,” he said.
Former Netherlands midfielder Theo Janssen was not impressed with Van Nistelrooy's absence, saying on De Oranjezomer: "I don't think this is acceptable. Koeman should have handled it differently."
Van Nistelrooy’s authorised late arrival comes shortly after Koeman denied Quinten Timber the chance to watch his brother Jurrien play for Arsenal in the Champions League final.
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Quinten asked Koeman if he could leave the Dutch camp to go to Budapest but was told by the former Everton manager to ”leave the supporting to the rest of the family”.
”You belong here,” Koeman says he told Timber.
”Of course, as a brother, he wanted to be there for an occasion like that to support his brother, which I understand, but he fully understood why I made that decision.”
Koeman added: ”Did I understand his request? On the one hand I did, on the other hand I didn’t.”
Jurrien Timber came on as a substitute in the final as Arsenal were beaten in a penalty shoot-out by Paris Saint-Germain.
The Gunners full-back will not team up with his brother at the World Cup as he has been ruled out due to injury.
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A statement from the Netherlands said: ”The 24-year-old defender has not recovered sufficiently from a groin injury to take part in the World Cup in a medically responsible manner.
"In consultation with the medical staff, it has therefore been decided that Timber will leave the national team’s pre-camp in New York after the game against Uzbekistan.Â
"We’re with you, Jurrien."
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