The coach who bonded with Putin and took Curaçao to the World Cup

Dick Advocaat, a Dutch football manager, has managed numerous clubs and national teams, including the Netherlands, South Korea, Belgium, and Russia. He led Russia to the semi-finals of Euro 2008, a notable achievement for the team. Advocaat also managed Zenit Saint Petersburg, winning the UEFA Cup in 2008. His career has spanned over four decades, marked by a reputation for instilling discipline and tactical acumen in his teams. He has also had brief stints with Sunderland in the Premier League and Feyenoord. In 2017, he returned to manage the Netherlands national team for a second time, aiming to guide them through their World Cup qualification campaign, though they ultimately failed to qualify for the 2018 tournament. Advocaat's coaching philosophy often emphasizes a strong defensive organization and quick counter-attacks. He has worked with many prominent players throughout his extensive career. His tenure with the Russian national team is often highlighted as a significant success, demonstrating his ability to elevate a team's performance on the international stage.