Steven Bergwijn has hit back at Ronald Koeman and said he has no desire to play for the Netherlands coach after he criticized the winger's move to Saudi Arabia.
Koeman said "the book" was closed on Bergwijn's Netherlands career after he moved from Ajax to Al Ittihad, and questioned the motive behind the move, suggesting he chose financial ambitions over sporting growth. Bergwijn has since had his say, in an interview with De Telegraaf, and said he has no desire to play under Koeman while he is in charge of the Dutch team.
"I don't even want to play under Koeman anymore," Bergwijn, 26, said in the interview. "If he had been a committed national coach, he would have called me first. Now I had to hear about it on TV. I've had many beautiful moments with him, so this is far too easy and I'm disappointed with him.
"I have always considered it an honour to play for Oranje. But under this national coach, I no longer want to do that. With someone who deliberately portrays me like that in the media, I am done. But who knows if there will be a new national coach in the future.
"I myself will never close the door. And I will only support my teammates at Oranje, just as they do with me. I have only received good messages from the internationals after my transfer. Everyone is happy for me. That is how it can be."
Bergwijn moved from Ajax to Al Ittihad on Sept. 2 in a deal worth €21 million ($23.3m). The move will see him play under Laurent Blanc in Saudi Arabia in a team that includes N'Golo Kanté, Karim Benzema, Fabinho, Houssem Aouar, Predrag Rajkovic and Moussa Diaby. But it angered Koeman.
"He could have stayed at Ajax, couldn't he? And I think they pay OK at Ajax too," Koeman said. "But yes, it's his choice. I think when you are 26 the main ambition should be sporting and not financial, but those are choices players make."
Koeman's comments were queried by journalists who pointed out how he picked Georginio Wijnaldum in the Dutch squad for the Euros. Wijnaldum plays for Al Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League. "Georginio Wijnaldum once went that way because he had a problem at Paris Saint-Germain," Koeman said. "He could only go to that country to play football until January. "In Bergwijn's case is that he goes at the age of 26, sporting ambition does not prevail. Not everyone thinks, fortunately, the same way."
This also angered Bergwijn. "If he had called me or shown interest in some other way, he would have heard my side of the story. How can you say such things without having spoken to me? It's true that I'm 26. But can you only take such a step when you're 32? I'm improving in every way, I'm a thousand percent behind my choice and I'm happy with my new club."
Bergwijn’s Transfer to Saudi Arabia
The move to Saudi Arabia has been met with criticism from some, who believe it is a sign that Bergwijn is prioritizing money over his career. However, Bergwijn insists that he is happy with his move and that he is looking forward to playing for Al Ittihad.
A Move That Doesn’t Fit The Narrative
The Saudi Pro League has become increasingly popular in recent years, with many high-profile players moving to the country. This is partly due to the high salaries on offer, but also because the league is seen as a good place for players to continue their careers after they have reached their peak.
While the league is attempting to attract the world's best, Bergwijn is not quite at the level to justify his transfer to Al Ittihad. However, he is a quality player that could make a strong contribution to the Saudi club.
Koeman’s Comments and Bergwijn’s Response
Koeman’s comments have been widely criticized, with many believing that he was out of line to publicly criticize Bergwijn’s decision. Bergwijn himself was clearly upset by Koeman’s comments, and he has made it clear that he does not want to play for the Netherlands coach any longer.
A Lack of Respect for Bergwijn’s Choice
The Netherlands boss has been vocal in his disapproval of Bergwijn’s move, questioning the player’s ambition. Despite this, Koeman did not reach out to Bergwijn, instead making his views clear publicly. This is what angered Bergwijn the most, and a large reason why he has decided to walk away from international football for the time being.
The Future of Bergwijn and the Netherlands
It remains to be seen whether Bergwijn will ever play for the Netherlands again. However, his comments suggest that he is unlikely to do so while Koeman is in charge. Bergwijn has clearly been hurt by Koeman’s comments, and he feels that the coach has not been respectful of his decision.
A Future Filled with Uncertainty
It is likely that the relationship between Bergwijn and Koeman will never be the same. But as Bergwijn states, he is open to playing for the Netherlands again in the future, under a different manager. Only time will tell if this comes to fruition, and what the next chapter will hold for Bergwijn and the Netherlands national team.
The Future of the Saudi Pro League
The Saudi Pro League is making a concerted effort to become a major force in world football. With the arrival of players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Neymar, the league is attracting attention and investment. However, it remains to be seen whether the league can establish itself as a truly competitive force, and whether it can attract the best players in the world on a regular basis.
A League in Transition
The Saudi Pro League is in a state of flux. Its ambition is clear: to become a global force in football. However, for that to happen, the league needs to continue to attract top players, improve its standard of play, and develop its infrastructure. Only time will tell whether the Saudi Pro League can achieve its goals.
