Ronald Koeman has resigned as head coach of the Netherlands national team after their disappointing exit in the Round of 32 at the World Cup.

The Dutch were knocked out by Morocco in a penalty shootout, bringing an early end to their campaign.

Announcing his decision on Instagram on Tuesday, Koeman said he had chosen to step down following the team's failure to achieve its World Cup ambitions.

"We all dreamed of a World Cup where we could make history. That didn't happen, and no one is more disappointed than I am. As head coach, I take responsibility for that," he wrote.

The Netherlands had progressed to at least the Round of 16 in each of their previous 11 World Cup appearances, including reaching the quarter-finals in Qatar four years ago. Their defeat to Morocco also marked the third consecutive World Cup in which the Dutch have been eliminated via a penalty shootout.

Throughout the tournament, Koeman faced criticism for adopting a cautious and defensive style of play. His contract was due to expire after the World Cup, and he opted not to extend his stay.

Reflecting on his departure, Koeman admitted the decision was difficult after working closely with his coaching staff and players over an extended period.

He thanked everyone involved with the national team for their commitment during both of his spells in charge and said that, despite the painful World Cup exit, he would cherish the strong relationships and memorable moments they shared.

Koeman also revealed that he now wants to focus on spending more time with his wife, children, and grandchildren, describing it as the right moment to step away.

This was Koeman's second stint as Netherlands boss. He returned to the role after the departure of Louis van Gaal following the 2022 World Cup, where the Dutch reached the quarter-finals before losing on penalties to eventual champions Argentina.

During his second tenure, Koeman guided the Netherlands to the semi-finals of Euro 2024, their best finish at a major international tournament since reaching the last four of the 2014 World Cup.