Former Premier League manager, 78, to become oldest boss in World Cup history

Former Premier League manager Dick Advocaat appears poised to make a remarkable return to the Curacao dugout, a move that would see the 78-year-old Dutchman become the oldest manager ever to lead a team at a World Cup.

The veteran coach stepped away from his position in February but is now reportedly set to reverse that decision ahead of next month's tournament.

Should Advocaat's comeback be confirmed, he would surpass the previous record held by Otto Rehhagel, who was 71 when he managed Greece at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The Curacao Football Federation has not yet made an official announcement, though his return is widely anticipated.

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Advocaat's departure came just four months after he had guided the Caribbean nation to their maiden World Cup qualification, a historic achievement for the tiny island territory.

The 78-year-old made the difficult choice to prioritise his family, stepping back to support his daughter through her cancer treatment.

However, his assistant Cor Pot shared that Advocaat's daughter had been responding positively to chemotherapy.

According to Dutch publication AD, the Curacao squad became aware last month that her health had improved enough for the experienced manager to consider returning to the role.

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The Curacao Football Federation had initially been reported to have blocked Advocaat's potential comeback last week, but the players made clear their preference for him to take charge at the World Cup.

Fred Rutten, who had taken over the managerial reins in February, chose to step down under pressure from the squad.

He said: "There must not be a climate that damages healthy professional relations, both among players and in the staff. Therefore, it is prudent to take a step back.

"In addition, time is running out and Curacao must move forward.

"I regret how the situation has developed, but I wish everyone much success as well."

The federation commended Rutten for demonstrating "extraordinary class, professionalism and sense of responsibility", noting he had placed the team's interests above his own.

Curacao's World Cup qualification represents a remarkable achievement for a nation with a population of approximately 150,000 people, roughly the same size as York.

They have become the smallest country ever to reach the tournament, eclipsing Iceland's appearance in 2018.

The Caribbean side will open their Group E campaign against Germany on June 14, with fixtures against Ecuador and the Ivory Coast to follow.

Advocaat brings vast experience to the role, having managed numerous clubs including Rangers, Sunderland and Fenerbahce, as well as eight national teams during his lengthy career, with three separate stints leading the Netherlands.

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