Ronald Koeman speaks out on ex-Man United flop Memphis Depay’s international future as he moves to Brazil – after brutally banishing Steven Bergwijn following Saudi switch
- Memphis Depay joined Brazilian side Corinthians after leaving Atletico Madrid
- The 30-year-old striker scored 46 goals in 98 games for the Netherlands
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Ronald Koeman has passed judgement on Memphis Depay’s international future after he brutally ended Steven Bergwijn’s career at the Netherlands last week.
Former Manchester United flop Depay (30), who left Atlético Madrid at the end of last season, made his move to Brazilian giants Corinthians on Monday.
His transfer follows the move of fellow Dutchman Bergwijn from Ajax to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad for €21 million (£17.7 million).
Following the deal, Koeman claimed that Bergwijn’s “book is closed” with the national team due to his lack of “sporting ambition”, hitting out at the former Tottenham star.
However, after Depay signed a two-year contract with Corinthians, Koeman was more optimistic about the attacker’s chances of playing for the Dutch national team again.
Ronald Koeman has spoken about Memphis Depay’s international future after his move to Brazil
Koeman brutally ended Steven Bergwijn’s Dutch career after he joined Al-Ittihad
Koeman insisted Depay still has a chance to play for his team as the level in Brazil is ‘different’
“I disapproved of Bergwijn going to Saudi Arabia, but with Memphis it could be different,” he told reporters on Monday.
‘The level of competition in Brazil is different. So yes, Depay can still be part of the national team, but it depends on his fitness and if he can still reach his level.’
Depay, who played for Lyon, Barcelona and PSV, made his debut for the Dutch national team in 2013 and scored 46 goals in 98 games for his country.
He was part of the squad for Euro 2024 and started in all six of the Dutch matches that reached the semi-finals. However, Depay scored only once.
Koeman’s comments about Depay follow his war of words with Bergwijn, who was also involved in the group this summer.
The former Everton and Southampton manager claimed the 35-cap winger had seriously damaged his international ambitions by moving to the Middle East.
“Steven Bergwijn is going to Saudi Arabia at the age of 26,” he said. “It is clear that this has nothing to do with sporting ambition.
‘His book with the Dutch national team is closed.’
When asked if Bergwijn had discussed the move with him, Koeman added: ‘No, he probably knows what I would have said.’
Depay, who left Atletico Madrid at the end of last season, has scored 46 goals in 98 international matches
Koeman had told Berwijn that the ‘book is closed’ on his hopes of playing for the Netherlands
However, in comments published by Dutch media The TelegraphBergwijn responded to Koeman in frustration and insisted that ‘that’s not how you treat your players’.
He said: ‘I don’t even want to play for this manager anymore. I don’t want to play for someone who portrays me the way he has in the media.
“He could have called me, heard my side of the story. How can he say things like that without talking to me?”
The Netherlands defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 5-2 on Saturday in their opening Nations League group match. They will return to action on Tuesday when they host Germany in Amsterdam.