France and Netherlands’ progress into the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 means both Didier Deschamps and Ronald Koeman can still achieve something unique this summer.
The two managers could yet face off in the final in Berlin, with both countries on different sides of the draw. France will have to overcome Portugal and then one of Spain or hosts Germany if they are to go all the way.
Netherlands , meanwhile, have what appears to be a more favourable run to the final, with Austria or Turkey next and then one of England or Switzerland in the semi-finals. They produced their best performance at the tournament so far to beat Romania 3-0 in the last 16, with Cody Gakpo particularly impressive .
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If France or Netherlands lift the trophy in Berlin later this month, Deschamps or Koeman would become only the second person in history to win the Euros as both a player and a manager.
Berti Vogts is the only man to have ever achieved that, having won the tournament as a player with West Germany in 1972 and as a manager in 1996. The Borussia Monchengladbach defender did not, however, play a single game for West Germany in 1972.
Deschamps was more influential as a player, captaining Les Blues to glory at Euro 2000 . He has achieved the World Cup double, winning international football’s most coveted trophy as a player in 1998 and as a coach in 2018.
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But the Euros has proved elusive for Deschamps as a manager. He came agonisingly close to guiding France to success on home soil in 2016, but they were beaten by Portugal in the final.
Koeman was a key man in defence for the Dutch at Euro 88 in Germany, helping his side to a 2-0 victory over the Soviet Union in Munich. Back in Germany 28 years later, he will be hoping to lead his nation to another memorable victory.
But there are plenty of obstacles in the way for both Netherlands and France. Hosts Germany have looked strong under Julian Nagelsmann, while Spain continue to play some scintillating football. England, despite their struggles, will be no pushovers, and Switzerland and Austria are certainly dark horses.
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