"You can think whatever you like but we gave away much less against a team that was stronger than Sweden and Tunisia," Ronald Koeman told goal.com after Netherlands were eliminated by Morocco on penalties. He did not offer regret after the 1-1 draw in Netherlands vs Morocco. Instead, he doubled down on the 1-1-1-1 and admitted he could decide his own future by Tuesday morning.

Koeman's tactical defence

Koeman's big call was obvious from kickoff. Netherlands started with a 3-4-2-1 formation and five defenders, ending a run of 31 straight Dutch matches that had begun with a standard back four.

The criticism was predictable once the equaliser went in, and Koeman clearly expected it. Speaking to goal.com, he said: "If I had to do it again I'd do it all the same way. As the Dutch coach when the equaliser is scored I am always going to be scolded for the fact I chose five defenders. But you criticise, which is your right. You watch from the sidelines, I'm here with the team and, once again, I'd do it again."

That is a hard line to take straight after a knockout exit, but it is not empty stubbornness. Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi told goal.com: "We were taken aback by their formation. When we saw it we knew they wanted to defend in a low block. That's not usually how they play and we had to adapt. I saw this type of play as a form of respect."

Koeman's setup did change the game. Netherlands were less open than usual and still found a way in front when Cody Gakpo scored in the 72nd minute. Gakpo has been one of their sharper performers across the tournament, with a 7.5 average rating over four appearances.

The problem for Koeman is that a tactical defence sounds thinner after a stoppage-time concession. Issa Diop equalised in the 90th minute plus 1, and the Dutch then missed three penalties in the shootout. Koeman can reasonably argue that the shape was not the sole reason for the exit. He has less room to claim it settled everything.

Koeman's future after the exit

Koeman was much less certain when the questions turned from tactics to his job. He told goal.com: "No, I haven't. I'm going to reflect on my future. This is straight after a game and the disappointment is so fresh in your mind. I'm going to reflect on it and maybe I'll come to a conclusion by tomorrow morning."

That leaves his position open, and it is the right way to frame it. He has not definitely quit, and he has not committed to staying. For now, the most accurate reading is that he is weighing it up after a painful elimination.

There is a decent football case behind his defiance on the back five. Morocco were not facing the Netherlands they usually prepare for, and Ouahbi admitted as much. Even so, the Dutch still had to survive pressure, with their goalkeeper forced into five saves, and they could not protect the lead once they had it.

So the debate around Koeman will split in two. Some will see the switch to five defenders as overcorrection from a coach who blinked in a knockout game. Others will point to a match that stayed level until stoppage time and was decided by missed penalties. The second argument is stronger. The shape was debatable, but Koeman has enough evidence to defend it.

His own future is far less settled. By his own account, the next update could come on Tuesday morning.

FAQ

Why did Ronald Koeman use five defenders against Morocco?

Koeman set Netherlands up in a 3-4-2-1 with five defenders from the start against Morocco. After the match, he defended that call strongly, saying the Dutch gave away much less against a stronger opponent than Sweden and Tunisia and that he would make the same choice again.

Has Ronald Koeman resigned as Netherlands coach after the Morocco defeat?

No confirmed decision had been made after the match. Koeman said he had not stepped down and was going to reflect on his future while the disappointment was still fresh, adding that he might come to a conclusion by Tuesday morning.

Did Morocco beat Netherlands in normal time?

No. The match finished 1-1 after normal time before Morocco advanced on penalties. Cody Gakpo put Netherlands ahead in the 72nd minute, then Issa Diop equalised in 90th-minute stoppage time to send the tie to a shootout.

Did Morocco's coach expect Netherlands to play a back five?

Mohamed Ouahbi said Morocco were surprised by the shape. He said his side were taken aback by Netherlands' formation, recognised that the Dutch wanted to defend in a low block and had to adapt during the game.

Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 5 outlets. How we work →