RONALD KOEMAN ANNOUNCES DEATH OF WIFE BARTINA AFTER CANCER BATTLE

Ronald Koeman has announced that his wife, Bartina, has died at the age of 65 following a battle with breast cancer. The former Netherlands manager shared the news on social media alongside a black-and-white photograph of the couple, who had been married for 41 years. "With deep sorrow, but also with great pride and love, we say goodbye to my wonderful wife, our dearest mum and grandma," he wrote. Barcelona, the club Koeman represented as a player, issued a statement sending its condolences and affection to him and his family, adding, "May she rest in peace."

Koeman managed the Dutch national team at this year's World Cup, and said in June, ahead of the Netherlands' opening fixture, that he hoped Bartina would be able to pause her weekly cancer treatment to travel to the United States if the team reached the final. The Netherlands were eliminated in the round of 32 by Morocco, after which Koeman stepped down from his position, citing his wife's health as part of his reason for leaving. In an Instagram post on 30 June, he wrote that recent years had shown him "there are more important things than football" and that "health is priceless." He said Bartina had supported and encouraged him to complete his work as national coach despite her illness, calling it "a testimony to incredible strength."

Koeman held two separate spells in charge of the Netherlands, managing Barcelona in between during the 2020-21 season, and has also managed Everton and Southampton in the Premier League. As a player, he was part of the Netherlands side that won the 1988 European Championship and won European Cup titles with both PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona. He scored the winning goal at Wembley Stadium in 1992 as Barcelona beat Sampdoria 1-0 after extra time to secure the club's first European Cup.