Virgil van Dijk handed Euro 2020 role as Holland boss Frank de Boer makes him ‘unofficial backroom staff member’ following Liverpool’s star failure to win fitness battle due to cruciate ligament injury
Holland captain Virgil van Dijk will be heading to the European championships this summer after reportedly being handed a non-playing role.
Dutch captain Van Dijk had to face up to the painful reality that he would not be ready in time for the tournament, after being ruled out of action since October 2020 due to a grisly tackle by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Now, Holland have sought how best to utilise Van Dijk at the tournament and the 29-year-old has been handed an ‘unofficial backroom staff role,’ according to the Mirror.
Virgil van Dijk will be travelling with Holland at Euro 2020 despite not playing for his nation
Van Dijk, who took the national team armband in 2018, will also continue the final stages of his rehabilitation during the Holland training camp while his team-mates aim to become European champions.
It was first noticed that Van Dijk would likely be playing a role in the tournament after Holland’s recently friendly with Scotland.
Despite his injury, Van Dijk was in attendance and allocated a seat just behind the main bench.
The Dutch captain has not returned to fitness in time after rupturing his crucial knee ligament
The Liverpool man watched on as his side managed to salvage a 2-2 draw, courtesy of Memphis Depay’s late equaliser.
Speaking of Van Dijk during his recent press conference, Holland boss De Boer said: ‘Virgil is so important for this squad and is a massive motivational factor who has always been important for the boys over the past few years.
‘The team loves his presence.’
Van Dijk made his Holland debut in 2015 and has won 38 caps for his country, yet has never featured at an international tournament to date.