Feb 4, 2024 at 10:40 AM Update: 6 days ago
Luuk de Jong will definitely not go with the Dutch team to the European Championship in Germany next summer. According to national coach Ronald Koeman, a return of the PSV striker is now a thing of the past.
De Jong left the door to the Dutch team ajar last summer. After reaching the group stage of the Champions League with PSV, De Jong said: “The national coach can always call, but I made a conscious choice. On the other hand: never say never.”
Koeman said in the ESPN program on Sunday Good morning Eredivisie that there was indeed a conversation afterwards. “I then called him again and asked if that was the case. He then indicated that he stands by his decision,” said the national coach.
“I told him that he can always call me if he ever changes his mind. I have now spoken to him twice more, but this is a station that is over. That is no different.”
De Jong resigned from the Dutch team in March
The 33-year-old De Jong, who worked with Koeman at FC Barcelona, ended his international career in March last year. He wanted to focus on his club and have more time for his family. The attacker made his debut in 2011 and scored eight goals in 39 international matches.
The European Championship for the Dutch national team starts on June 16 in Hamburg with a match against Poland, Wales, Finland or Estonia. These countries will compete in the play-offs at the end of March for a ticket to the European Championship. The Dutch team will continue to compete against France and Austria in the group stage.
Next month, the Dutch team will play practice matches against Scotland (on March 22 in Amsterdam) and Germany (on March 26 in Frankfurt).