Netherlands coach Koeman had cardiologist appointment postponed before suffering heart problem

The 57-year-old coach, who has also managed Premier League clubs Southampton and Everton, underwent a successful "heart catheterization".

Published : May 29, 2020 16:55 IST

Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman on Friday said that he “was lucky” after suffering a heart problem just a few weeks after his appointment with a cardiologist was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The 57-year-old underwent a “cardiac catheterisation” procedure at a hospital in Amsterdam in early May after feeling unwell following a bike ride.

“My appointment was postponed because of the coronavirus. Now I wonder how many people are no longer alive because such an appointment was postponed,” Koeman said on Dutch television.

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“In intensive care, everything was focused on the coronavirus.

“In my family, there have often been heart problems. This is why I made an appointment for March 19. It was cancelled.”

The former Southampton and Everton manager said he was always conscious and recovered quickly.

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“I had chest pain, I turned white and started to sweat. I thought: 'This is not good',” he said.

“I went back to the cardiologist and everything is fine. I realise that I was lucky.”