Dick Advocaat

Dick Advocaat

Dick Advocaat is one of Dutch football's most experienced managers, with a career spanning decades and multiple countries — including spells with PSV, the Netherlands national team, and clubs across Russia, Turkey, and the Middle East. He took over Curaçao in 2024 at 77, bringing elite-level tactical knowledge to a nation still building its international identity. Known for pragmatic, defensively organised setups and clear man-management, Advocaat's greatest asset for a small nation is his ability to impose structure quickly. His Feyenoord stint proved he could still motivate players at the highest Dutch level well into his seventies.

Born

Den Haag, Netherlands · 1947-09-27

Profile

Dick Advocaat, the 77-year-old Dutch veteran nicknamed 'The Little General', brings a CV that includes PSV, Rangers, the Netherlands and Russia national teams. He favours compact, organised defensive shapes — typically a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 — and demands disciplined positional play over flair. His second stint with Curaçao has focused on making the side hard to break down, leveraging the Dutch-football DNA running through most of the squad to impose structure on a group of players spread across lower European leagues.

Career

CuraçaoCuraçao2024 – present
ADO Den HaagADO Den Haag2022 – 2023
IraqIraq2021
FeyenoordFeyenoord2019 – 2021
UtrechtUtrecht2018 – 2019
Sparta RotterdamSparta Rotterdam2018
NetherlandsNetherlands2017
FenerbahceFenerbahce2016 – 2017
SunderlandSunderland2015
SerbiaSerbia2014
AZAZ2013 – 2014
PSVPSV2012 – 2013
RussiaRussia2010 – 2012
AZAZ2009 – 2010
BelgiumBelgium2009 – 2010
ZenitZenit2006 – 2009
Korea RepublicKorea Republic2005 – 2006
UAEUAE2005
Borussia M'gladbachBorussia M'gladbach2004 – 2005
NetherlandsNetherlands2002 – 2004
RangersRangers1998 – 2001
PSVPSV1994 – 1998
NetherlandsNetherlands1992 – 1994
SVV1989 – 1991
Haarlem1987 – 1989

Team identity

Dick Advocaat typically deploys a 4-3-3 that compresses into a 4-5-1 out of possession. Riechedly Bazoer sits deepest in midfield, screening the back four of Armando Obispo, Joshua Brenet, Shurandy Sambo and Roshon van Eijma. Leandro Bacuna and Juninho Bacuna operate as the two advanced midfielders. In transition, Tahith Chong is the primary outlet, running in behind, while Jurgen Locadia leads the line as a physical reference point.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Curaçao's manager at the 2026 World Cup?

Dick Advocaat is the head coach of Curaçao at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

What is Dick Advocaat's background?

Dick Advocaat is one of Dutch football's most experienced managers, with a career spanning decades and multiple countries — including spells with PSV, the Netherlands national team, and clubs across Russia, Turkey, and the Middle East. He t…

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