R. Koeman announced the loss on Wednesday on social media, sharing a black and white photo of the two of them. The couple spent 41 years together.
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“With deep sadness, but also with great pride and love, we say goodbye to my wonderful wife, our dearest mother and grandmother,” wrote R. Koeman.
Earlier this summer, the former Netherlands national team coach spoke publicly about his wife’s illness. Before the World Cup, he hoped that B. Koeman could skip one weekly treatment and come to the United States if the Netherlands team reached the final.
After the Netherlands team was eliminated in the World Cup knockout stage following a loss to Morocco, R. Koeman resigned from his position as national team coach. Among the reasons for his decision, he cited his wife’s health condition.
“The past year has once again made me realize that there are more important things than football. Football was my life, but health is priceless. When a loved one fights a tough battle, your perspective on everything changes,” R. Koeman wrote on June 30.
He also emphasized his wife’s strength at that time.
“My wife Bartina, despite her own illness, supported me every day and urged me to finish the job with the national team. That says a lot about her incredible strength,” said the Dutchman.
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R. Koeman coached the Netherlands national team twice. Between these periods, he led the Barcelona team in 2020–2021, and during his coaching career, he also worked with clubs in the Netherlands, England, Portugal, and Spain.
R. Koeman left an even more significant mark as a footballer. He was one of the key players of the Netherlands team that won the 1988 European Championship, and he triumphed in the European Cup (now the Champions League) with PSV and Barcelona.
In 1992 at Wembley Stadium, it was R. Koeman who scored the winning goal in the final where Barcelona became the strongest team in Europe for the first time in the club’s history.
Condolences to R. Koeman and his family were also expressed by Barcelona.
“Barcelona and its fans express their deepest condolences and love to Ronald Koeman and his family on the death of his wife Bartina Koeman. May she rest in peace,” the club said.
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