Ronald Koeman brutally ends former Tottenham star’s international career after shock Saudi Arabia move – as Netherlands boss claims ‘his book is closed’ with the national team

Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has slammed Steven Bergwijn after the winger joined Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad. 

Bergwijn, 26, completed a €21m (£17.7m) move from Ajax to the Saudi Pro League (SPL) giants on Monday.

The transfer brought to an end Bergwijn’s two-year spell in Amsterdam, with the winger excelling in the Dutch capital by scoring 29 goals and adding 12 assists in 80 games.

The 26-year-old, who previously played for PSV and Tottenham, has also won 35 caps for the Netherlands and was part of Koeman’s squad at Euro 2024 where they reached the semi-finals before losing to England.

However, Bergwijn was not selected for their upcoming Nations League fixtures against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany, amid the speculation surrounding his future.

Steven Bergwijn completed a £17.7m transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad from Ajax

Koeman hit out at Bergwijn and insisted ‘his book with the Dutch National Team is closed’

And, speaking to the media on Tuesday after his group came together, Koeman hit out at Bergwijn when asked about the winger and claimed the move to Saudi Arabia has significantly impacted his international ambitions.  

‘Steven Bergwijn goes to Saudi Arabia at the age of 26,’ he said. ‘It’s clear that this has nothing to do with sporting ambition.

‘His book with the Dutch National Team is closed.’

Koeman was then questioned on whether Bergwijn had discussed the move with him, before he added: ‘No, he probably knows what I would have said.’

Speaking after the transfer was confirmed, Ajax technical director Alex Kroes opened up further on the deal as he said: ‘Steven and Ajax have made no secret of the fact that, if a good offer came from abroad, he would make the move. 

‘That has now happened at the last minute, giving the club the necessary financial flexibility to hopefully bring in a suitable replacement in the short term. 

‘We have wished our captain from last season much success in the next stage of his career.’ 

Bergwijn was part of the Netherlands squad at Euro 2024 and has 35 caps for his country

Koeman also revealed that Bergwijn had not consulted him ahead of his transfer to Al-Ittihad

Bergwijn, who broke through at PSV, is set to link up with the likes of Karim Benzema, Fabinho, Moussa Diaby and N’Golo Kante at Al-Ittihad.

He will play under former France and PSG boss Laurent Blanc, with the Frenchman hoping to oversee a much better campaign than Al-Ittihad’s 5th place finish last season. 

They have won both of their games so far this season, and return to action after the international break with a home clash against Al-Wehda.