Ronald Koeman surprised former trainer Guus Hiddink with a video message broadcast on the ESPN program Goedemorgen Eredivisie.
Guus Hiddink appeared as a studio guest to mark his eightieth birthday. The broadcast featured several blocks of video messages from old acquaintances, including André Ooijer, Wim Kieft, René van der Gijp, Frank and Ronald de Boer, Boudewijn Zenden, and Danny Blind.
During the second video block, Ronald Koeman appeared on screen to congratulate his former trainer. Koeman won the European Cup I with PSV under Hiddink in 1988 and later served as his assistant for the Netherlands national team in 1997 and 1998.
Koeman addressed Hiddink directly while referencing the recent death of his wife, Bartina Koeman, who passed away on September 16, 2026, at the age of 65. The couple had spent years living together in Spain, where Koeman played for FC Barcelona during the 1990s.
Your eightieth birthday, today. Well, wonderful,
Koeman said in his video message. I too know, unfortunately, that it is not a given to reach this age.
Koeman expressed gratitude for Hiddink’s influence on his career as both a player and a trainer. Geniet van deze mooie dag. Ik neem er later op de dag een Riojat’je op, op jouw tachtigste verjaardag,
he added.
Studio host Milan van Dongen expressed hope that the Rioja wine would taste good to Koeman, while Hiddink called the tribute mooi, mooi. Ja, mooi.
Iedereen houdt van Guus Hiddink ❤️ pic.twitter.com/lL2NZgVN1X
Hans Kraay junior became visibly emotional watching the footage from Spain. Dit vind ik tot nu toe een waanzinnig mooie,
Kraay said, noting that Koeman often visits his daughter in Spain and that the grief remains heavy within the family.
Kraay mentioned visiting Hiddink’s son, Tim, in Oosterbeek alongside his wife earlier in the week. Hiddink validated the emotional response at the desk, comparing it to his own reaction to receiving voice messages from his 2008 Russia national team selection.
Bartina Koeman passed away on September 16, 2026, at the age of 65.
Messages came from André Ooijer, Wim Kieft, René van der Gijp, Frank and Ronald de Boer, Boudewijn Zenden, Danny Blind, and Ronald Koeman.
Hans Kraay junior stated on ESPN that Koeman recorded the video from Spain, where he frequently visits his daughter.
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