78-year-old Dick Advocaat leads the Curaçao national team at the World Cup, not thinking of retirement. Dick Advocaat has surprised the football world once again: at 78, he has taken charge of the Curaçao national team at the World Cup. His passion for the game remains undiminished, despite his age and his many previous announcements of retirement.
Dick Advocaat, who recently turned 78, is once again in the global football spotlight. This time, he has taken charge of the Curaçao national team, becoming the oldest head coach at the World Cup. Today, the Caribbean side kicks off its campaign against Germany, and for Advocaat, this match could become the culmination of his long and eventful career.
Despite numerous statements about retiring from coaching, Advocaat has repeatedly returned to work. After leaving Sparta in 2018, he admitted he was tired, but just a few weeks later, he was back on the bench—this time with Utrecht. His family and colleagues note that he can't be without football, and searching for new challenges has become a habit for him. Even now, when many of his peers have long since retired, Advocaat continues to accept offers from the most unexpected national teams and clubs.
The coach's friends, including former assistant Zeljko Petrovic, emphasize that for Advocaat, football is more than just a profession—it's a way of life. He doesn't smoke or drink, but he feels a genuine addiction to working on the pitch. According to Petrovic, if Advocaat got a call from Uganda, he would accept without hesitation. Even in his free time, he stays connected with the game: watching matches from various leagues, analyzing tactics, and sometimes only getting distracted by his favorite music.
Advocaat's football journey began in The Hague, where he lost his father early and was forced to grow up quickly. Together with his friend Aad de Mos, he went through the tough ADO academy, where training started at six in the morning, and in summer the young players even practiced baseball. This hardening and passion for the game defined his future career, making Advocaat one of the most sought-after coaches in Europe and Asia.
Over decades of work, he led the national teams of the Netherlands, Belgium, Russia, as well as clubs such as PSV, Feyenoord, Rangers, and Zenit. His reputation as 'Dagobert Dick'—a man who never misses a lucrative contract—formed after his move from the Belgian national team to Russia at the invitation of Vladimir Putin. Advocaat openly admits he always chose offers with significant financial advantages, but those close to him claim he spent a considerable part of his earnings helping young players and on charity.
Advocaat's personality is complex: behind his strict exterior lies a gentleness and emotionality noticed only by those closest to him. Petrovich recalls how, during their time working together in England, they would watch concerts of their favorite artists and the coach did not hide his tears. Despite his nickname 'Little General,' he always remained someone ready to support his assistants in difficult times.
For Advocaat, football is a way to fight the fear of aging and loneliness. After the loss of his mother and brothers, he admitted that he sees every new challenge as his last, but he is not ready to stop. His friends joke that as soon as a new offer appears, he’s back on the field again. Such passion for the profession is rare, and it is precisely what sets Advocaat apart from most of his colleagues.
There are many examples in football history where coaches continued to work despite age and circumstances. For example, Julen Lopetegui, after his setback with Spain, agreed to lead the Qatar national team at the World Cup, which was an unexpected move for many fans — details of this transition can be found here. Such stories highlight that in modern football, experience and a passion for the game are valued no less than youth and ambition.
For reference: Dick Advocaat is one of the most decorated coaches in Europe, the holder of numerous national and international trophies. His career spans over 40 years, and his work has taken him to Russia, Australia, South Korea, the United States and many other countries. The Curaçao national team, which he currently heads, is considered an underdog in the tournament, but the very fact of participating under such a specialist has already become an event for local football. In Spain, there is traditionally great interest in such stories: experienced coaches often attract attention not only for their sporting results, but also for their unique life journeys.
