"Dick is truly a fantastic coach," says Curaçao football player Leandro Bacuna with a smile. "Even during the period when he was no longer the national team coach, I stayed in touch with him. At first, he really didn't understand the way we experience and live football in Curaçao. He wanted nothing to do with it. But slowly, you could see him change."
Bacuna explained that over time, Dick Advocaat began to embrace Curaçao's football culture and developed a deeper appreciation for the passion and unique atmosphere surrounding the national team.
"He gradually started to understand what football means to the people of Curaçao and how much pride comes with representing the island," Bacuna said. "That change made a big difference in the way he connected with the players and the country."
Photo credit: Helden