The winger was signed by Al Ittihad on the last day of the transfer window, taking a spot that seemed reserved for Galeno. The transfer was criticized by the Netherlands' coach.
Steven Bergwijn's transfer from Ajax to Al Ittihad on the last day of the summer window sent shockwaves through the football world.
It wasn’t just the move itself, but the fact that it disrupted a prior agreement between Al Ittihad and FC Porto for Brazilian winger Galeno, worth a substantial 50 million euros. Instead, Bergwijn, who cost Al Ittihad approximately 21 million euros, took the spot, sparking immediate controversy, particularly in the Netherlands.
One of the most vocal critics of the transfer was Netherlands national team coach Ronald Koeman. Koeman, who has a reputation for prioritizing players competing in Europe’s top leagues, took issue with Bergwijn’s decision to move to Saudi Arabia at the age of 26. He practically closed the door on Bergwijn’s future with the national team, citing a lack of "sporting ambition." In Koeman’s view, the winger’s decision was driven by financial motives rather than the desire to continue developing at the highest level.
Koeman’s blunt remarks did not sit well with Bergwijn, who decided to publicly respond. In an interview with Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Bergwijn expressed disappointment in how the national coach handled the situation. "If he were a committed national coach, he would have called me first. I had to hear it on television," Bergwijn explained. He went on to highlight the positive moments he had shared with Koeman in the past, making his disappointment even more profound. For Bergwijn, the coach’s public criticism felt like a personal attack. "This is not how you should treat your own players," he stated, adding that if Koeman continues to handle situations in this manner, "he will lose all his credibility."
Bergwijn also took issue with Koeman’s assertion that his move to Saudi Arabia wasn’t a sporting decision. The winger firmly defended the quality of football in the Saudi Pro League, pointing to the influx of world-class players who have recently joined clubs in the region. "I can assure you that the competition in Saudi Arabia is better than in the Netherlands," Bergwijn said, listing players like N’Golo Kanté and Aymeric Laporte as examples of top talent now competing in Saudi Arabia. He referenced Kanté’s standout performance against the Netherlands during the European Championship and Laporte’s success with Spain to underscore the level of competition he would now face. "The national coach knows very well that the competition in Saudi Arabia is at an excellent level," Bergwijn asserted.
Despite his frustration with Koeman, Bergwijn maintained that he still views representing the Netherlands as an honor, but he no longer wishes to play under the current coach. "I’m tired of someone deliberately portraying me this way in the media," he said, hinting that his future with the national team might depend on whether a new coach takes charge. "I will never close the door myself," Bergwijn added, expressing hope that a future coach might offer him the opportunity to return to the squad.
Bergwijn also reflected on the support he has received from his teammates and those close to him since making the controversial move. "I’ve only received kind messages after my transfer. Everyone is happy for me," he shared, noting the positive response from his fellow players.
Koeman, on the other hand, did not mince words when discussing Bergwijn’s decision. In an earlier statement, the Dutch coach made it clear that he viewed the transfer as a step backwards in the 26-year-old’s career. "Bergwijn going to Saudi Arabia at 26 has nothing to do with the sporting aspect," Koeman said, adding that he believed Bergwijn’s story with the Dutch national team was now closed. He emphasized that at 26, a player’s main focus should be sporting growth, not financial gain. "He could have stayed at Ajax, right? I’m sure Ajax pays well too," Koeman remarked, further questioning the winger’s decision to leave European football. Koeman concluded by saying that at Bergwijn’s age, he would never have made such a move, clearly signaling his disapproval.
Bergwijn’s stats with the Netherlands are respectable, with eight goals in 35 appearances, and he was part of the squad for Euro 2024, playing in two matches. His move to Al Ittihad, while controversial in some circles, came at a cost of 21 million euros, significantly less than what Al Ittihad would have paid for Galeno.
The tension between Bergwijn and Koeman highlights the broader debate about players moving to leagues outside of Europe’s traditional powerhouses. As Saudi Arabia continues to attract top talent, the question of whether players in their prime should be competing in these leagues is becoming increasingly relevant. For Bergwijn, it seems the decision was not just about the money, but about challenging himself in a new environment, and he remains confident in his choice. Only time will tell if his performances in Saudi Arabia will lead to a reconsideration from the Dutch national team, or if this truly marks the end of his international career under Koeman’s reign.
