Koeman Calls up Maatsen to Replace Injured De Jong in Netherlands Euro 2024 Squad 

Ian Maatsen of Dortmund in action during the UEFA Champions League final match of Borussia Dortmund against Real Madrid, in London, Britain, 01 June 2024. (EPA)
Ian Maatsen of Dortmund in action during the UEFA Champions League final match of Borussia Dortmund against Real Madrid, in London, Britain, 01 June 2024. (EPA)
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Koeman Calls up Maatsen to Replace Injured De Jong in Netherlands Euro 2024 Squad 

Ian Maatsen of Dortmund in action during the UEFA Champions League final match of Borussia Dortmund against Real Madrid, in London, Britain, 01 June 2024. (EPA)
Ian Maatsen of Dortmund in action during the UEFA Champions League final match of Borussia Dortmund against Real Madrid, in London, Britain, 01 June 2024. (EPA)

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman called up versatile Borussia Dortmund defender Ian Maatsen on Tuesday to replace midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who was cut from the European Championship squad because of an ankle injury.

Koeman announced late Monday that De Jong would not be fit in time to play at the tournament in Germany that begins Friday.

The Dutch soccer association also said Tuesday that midfielder Teun Koopmeiners will miss Euro 2024 after suffering an injury while warming up Monday for the Netherlands' final friendly against Iceland.

Maatsen, who was part of the provisional Netherlands squad, was set to return from vacation to join the team at its base in the German city of Wolfsburg.

Maatsen impressed this year after moving on loan from Chelsea to Dortmund. He was named in UEFA's Champions League team of the season and will give Koeman an extra option on the left flank.

The Netherlands, the 1988 European champion, plays Poland in its first Group D match on Sunday in Hamburg before taking on World Cup runner-up France and completing the group stage against Austria.



Former Argentina Coach Sampaoli Takes Over at French Club Rennes

FILE - Coach Jorge Sampaoli of Brazil's Flamengo reacts during a Copa Libertadores round of 16 second leg soccer match against Paraguay's Olimpia at Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion, Paraguay, Aug.10, 2023. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz, File )
FILE - Coach Jorge Sampaoli of Brazil's Flamengo reacts during a Copa Libertadores round of 16 second leg soccer match against Paraguay's Olimpia at Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion, Paraguay, Aug.10, 2023. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz, File )
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Former Argentina Coach Sampaoli Takes Over at French Club Rennes

FILE - Coach Jorge Sampaoli of Brazil's Flamengo reacts during a Copa Libertadores round of 16 second leg soccer match against Paraguay's Olimpia at Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion, Paraguay, Aug.10, 2023. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz, File )
FILE - Coach Jorge Sampaoli of Brazil's Flamengo reacts during a Copa Libertadores round of 16 second leg soccer match against Paraguay's Olimpia at Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion, Paraguay, Aug.10, 2023. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz, File )

Former Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli is taking over at French league side Rennes.
The 64-year-old is returning to French soccer following a previous stint with Marseille.
Rennes said late Monday that Sampaoli signed a 1 1/2-year contract, The Associated Press reported.
Sampaoli, who was in charge of Argentina at the 2018 World Cup, replaces Julien Stephan, who was dismissed last week.
Rennes is looking for a jolt after a mediocre spell that saw the team slump to 13th place in the standings, 18 points behind leader Paris Saint-Germain after 11 matches.
“He is a coach who is recognized internationally for his professionalism and humanism,” said Arnaud Pouille, the executive chairman and managing director at Rennes. “He has a strong attachment to his players and staff, and is a loyal and committed man. We need his energy to get the club moving again and to face the competition with determination.”
The much-traveled Sampaoli has also coached clubs in Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Spain and Brazil.
Sampaoli abruptly left Marseille in July 2022 after leading the team back to the Champions League, over a disagreement related to the club's transfers of players.