By Victor Kanayo
Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal has resigned following the penalty shootout defeat to Argentina in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals Friday night in Qatar.
He exit comes 16 months after his surprise return to the dugout.
The Dutch icon returned for a third stint in charge of the national side in August last year after Ronald Koeman, who is now expected to retake the reins himself, quit to join Barcelona.
In April, Van Gaal revealed he had an aggressive form of prostate cancer, admitting he had hidden his diagnosis from his players in an attempt to keep focus on the World Cup.
Van Gaal revealed he had been consulted over Koeman’s all-but-confirmed appointment, previously telling De Telegraaf: “A year ago, I was the only coach available who had experience, that now applies to Koeman.
“He would be a good successor.”
Also, Brazil Coach Tito has resigned as the head coach of the Seleçao after Brazil lost to Croatia in the Quarter-final of the Qatar 2022 World Cup via penalties.
Croatia stunned the five-time world champions with a dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout win at the Education City Stadium to book a place in the World Cup semi-finals as the hot tournament favourites crashed out after the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Tite has been the head coach of Brazil since 2016 and won the Copa America in 2019 on home soil for the Selecao, their first Copa America trophy in 12years, and their first trophy in 6 years.
The 61-year-old has earlier stated he would resign as the coach of the Brazilian National team after the World Cup, winning 61 games in 81 matches.
Both of Tite’s World Cup squads in 2018 and 2022 were eliminated in the quarterfinals.
The only major trophy Tite won as Brazil’s manager since taking over in 2016 was in 2019, when he led Brazil to the Copa América on home soil — Brazil’s ninth Copa America title and first in 12 years.
Tite’s current contract, signed in July 2018, kept him with Brazil until the end of the 2022 World Cup.
In February, he revealed that he intended to step down as manager of Brazil after the 2022 tournament.
