Koeman calls up Valente for World Cup, hints at stepping down

Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman has called up Feyenoord midfielder Luciano Valente for the first time for this week's crucial World Cup qualifying matches.

Oranje play Poland in Warsaw on Friday evening knowing that a draw will effectively seal qualification for next year's tournament in North America, given their vastly superior goal difference over the Poles.

Koeman said the 22-year-old Valente had “adapted fantastically” since signing from his home-town club Groningen in the summer.

“I've been impressed with his willingness, both on and off the ball,” Koeman said at a press conference in Zeist . “And if you can fit in so easily and earn a first-team place at a big club, it makes the next step possible.”

The coach said he was keeping a close eye on other young players, notably AZ Alkmaar's 19-year-old midfielder Kees Smit, whom he compared to Barcelona and Spain star Pedri.

Koeman opted to let Smit join the under-21 squad for their upcoming European Championship qualifiers against Slovenia and Israel. But he said: “What Smit has shown at an early age is great. He's one of the players on my list.”

The coach hinted he was contemplating stepping down after the summer without making any firm commitment. “It's one possibility,” he said. “It's not just down to me, obviously, but I think about it now and again.”

The pressure on managers was something that weighed on his mind, Koeman added when asked about the fate of former Ajax coach John Heitinga, who was dismissed last week after a disappointing start to the season.

“In Heitinga's case the conclusion was quickly drawn: this is going nowhere. I thought it was a bit too quick from various points of view. But unfortunately that's how things are.”

The Netherlands close out their World Cup campaign with a home tie against Lithuania, who have no chance of progressing, in Amsterdam on Monday.