Former Premier League boss forced to miss national team training due to situation with his wife

Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman missed the team's training session on Tuesday due to 'something' involving his wife.

Koeman, 62, married Dutch actress Bartina, 64, back in 1985.

Bartina revealed she was fighting breast cancer last year, having previously beaten the disease, but it is not known if this is behind his absence.

And Koeman boarded the team's flight to Malta on Wednesday ahead of a World Cup qualifier on Thursday evening.

He said: 'That had to do with my wife [missing a session]. You don't just leave. So if you do, it means something.

'There were no doubts [about going to Malta,' he said. 'Something came up, I don't want to elaborate on that. But then I have to go home.'

Ronald Koeman has missed Netherlands training due to a 'situation' involving his wife

Bartina Koeman revealed last year that she has been battling breast cancer again

Former Everton boss Koeman has been in charge of the Netherlands since 2023

The pair have three kids: Debbie, Tim, and Ronald Koeman Jr, who is a goalkeeper for Dutch Eredivisie side Telstar.

Bartina announced last year that her breast cancer had returned.

She said: 'My breast cancer is now back. I want to be open about that because I hope I might be able to help other women with a similar type of cancer.

'I first had it in 2010. Then I had surgery, chemo and radiotherapy. After that, the cancer was gone.

'But in 2018, my neck was bothering me. I thought it was whiplash. It turned out I had metastasis in the spine. After more chemo, the cancer stayed away, but on a scan they saw activity again. Every three to four weeks I have to be in the Netherlands for treatment at the Amsterdam Cancer Hospital.

'But I am a strong woman and I can handle this. I don't run around whining and complaining all day because I am very independent. I so hope that Ronald will be rewarded for his hard work and that he will go very far at the European Championship.

'I hope we become champions. Ronald loves his job. He is a professional nut.'

Netherlands Ronald Koeman

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