Virgil van Dijk regards claims that he influenced Ronald Koeman’s tactics during the Netherlands’ disappointing World Cup campaign as “utter nonsense”.
The Liverpool captain faced questions from the Dutch media over his role in the team after their last-16 loss to Morocco on penalties. Van Dijk insisted tactical decisions were made by the coaching staff and said the Netherlands simply failed to perform at the tournament.
“One of your colleagues also said, of course, that it was my idea to switch to playing with a back five,” Van Dijk said. “That is utter nonsense.
“The fact is we simply failed at the World Cup. Those are the hard facts. We didn’t play a good World Cup. It’s not about me. You perform together; you’re a team.
“Your claim that I destroyed Dutch football after the World Cup – that sort of thing is completely baseless.”
Van Dijk said he had been wrongly blamed for the decision to use five defenders and accused sections of the media of spreading claims that damaged his reputation.
“I was told that it was my fault we played with five, that Ronald Koeman and I have destroyed Dutch football,” he said. “The plan is devised by the staff. Nonsense is being spread so that I look even worse. That happens far too often.”
Xavi meets the squad 🦁🤝 pic.twitter.com/7eKCvOX0BY
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) September 21, 2026
The defender acknowledged that the Netherlands’ approach against Morocco had led to a poor game but said it wasn’t a complete failure.
“The plan worked for 89 minutes, even though it was a bad match,” Van Dijk said. “We almost broke through. The idea that I destroyed Dutch football makes absolutely no sense. I didn’t decide that.”
Van Dijk also revealed that he briefly considered retiring from international football after the World Cup defeat. The 35-year-old said he needed time with his family before meeting new Netherlands manager Xavi, and quickly decided to continue.
“I needed a holiday with my family and then an important meeting with the national coach: After 10 seconds it was already clear that I would continue,” he said.
“What he said? That I am Virgil van Dijk,” the Liverpool captain revealed. “It is about trust, appreciation, how important you are for the team. Physically there is – and was – no doubt but you also want to feel appreciation and pleasure.”
