78-year-old Advocaat, who once led S. Korea, sets record as oldest manager in World Cup history

Dick Advocaat, who once managed the South Korean national football team, has become the oldest manager in World Cup history.

Advocaat led Curaçao, a small Caribbean island territory of the Netherlands, in their opening match at the 2026 North America World Cup on Monday local time.

The 78-year-old Dutch manager had stepped down from the Curaçao post in February, saying he wanted to focus on caring for his ailing daughter. He made a surprise return to the role in May, securing his place in the record books as the oldest manager ever to lead a side at a World Cup.

According to Yahoo Sports, the record for oldest manager at the tournament changed hands three times in just four days after the North America World Cup kicked off June 12.

Until this tournament, the record had been held by German coach Otto Rehhagel, who was 71 when he guided Greece at the 2010 South Africa World Cup. Hugo Broos of Belgium, manager of South Africa in Group A, broke that mark first — born in April 1952, he was 74 when his side faced Mexico on June 12.

Czech Republic manager Miroslav Koubek then claimed the record just five hours later. Born in September 1951, Koubek — who faced South Korea — turns 75 in three months.

Advocaat then emerged as the oldest manager in the field, with the record changing hands for the third time in three days. No other manager at this tournament appears likely to surpass him on age.

Advocaat guided the Netherlands to the quarterfinals at the 1994 United States World Cup. He served as South Korea's head coach at the 2006 Germany World Cup, making this his third World Cup as a manager.

Curaçao, however, fell 1-7 to Germany in their Group E opener.

Advocaat had taken charge of Curaçao in January 2024 and guided the nation of roughly 150,000 people to their first-ever World Cup qualification.

Fred Rutten of the Netherlands took over as his successor, but unease grew after Curaçao lost 0-2 to China and 1-5 to Australia in friendly matches in March. Around that time, reports emerged that Advocaat's daughter's health had improved and that players and sponsors were calling for his return.

Curaçao Football Association president Hilbert Martina initially ruled out the possibility of Advocaat's return, but the situation reversed quickly when Rutten resigned.

Curaçao are in Group E alongside Germany, Ecuador and Ivory Coast.

‘亞 최강’ 일본, 네덜란드에 2-2 극적 무승부

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