“I don’t even want to play for him anymore” - Netherlands star hits back at Ronald Koeman after stern criticism

Netherlands international Steven Bergwijn has launched a scathing attack on national team manager Ronald Koeman. The 26-year-old hit back at Koeman after he criticized the player for joining the Saudi Pro League.

In an interview with the Telegraaf, Bergwijn tore into Koeman, claiming that he doesn't want to play for him with the Netherlands anymore.

"I don’t even want to play for this manager anymore," Bergwijn made the sensational claim (via @TheEuropeanLad).

"I won’t play for someone who portray me like he has done in the media," he added.

The former Ajax star questioned Koeman's behaviour and said that things could have been handled better had the coach called him to understand his side of the story.

"He could have called me, hear my side of the story. How can he say such things without talking to me?" he asked.

The former Tottenham Hotspur player has 35 caps for the national team after making his debut back in 2018. He also featured twice for the Netherlands at the 2024 Euro under the former Barcelona player and manager as they reached the semi-final.

"The book is closed for him" - Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman

Earlier this month, Steven Bergwijn sealed a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad in a deal worth £17.7 million, a move not kindly taken to by Koeman.

The 61-year-old questioned Bergwijn's ambition to move outside of Europe at just 26 years of age. Koeman shutting the doors for Bergwijn led the player to launch a scathing attack on his now-former manager.

Speaking to reporters, Ronald Koeman claimed that the move to Saudi Arabia has essentially closed the international chapter for the versatile forward.

"The book is basically closed to him. He knows what I think about this. When you are 26, your main ambition should be sporting, not financial. These are choices that players make," Koeman said (via GOAL).

The former Ajax player and manager spoke about his time as a player when he moved to Barcelona from the Eredivisie.

"I have never been in that situation, because I could go to Barcelona. He could have stayed at Ajax, that's not bad, is it? You have to respect that choice, but personally I wouldn't [have moved]," he claimed.

Ronald Koeman is currently busy with the national side as they prepare for their upcoming matches in the UEFA Nations League. The Netherlands face Bosnia and Herzegovina on Saturday, September 7, before hosting Germany three days later.