---
title: "Sven Botman makes early Newcastle return after controversial Netherlands walkout"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2022/09/22/newcastle-sven-botman-leaves-international-duty-focus-on-newcastle/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Niall Keenan"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2022-09-22T10:41:00Z"
modified: "2022-09-22T10:41:00Z"
---

# Sven Botman makes early Newcastle return after controversial Netherlands walkout

**Sven Botman’s decision to leave international duty and return to Newcastle early to [focus on club level](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sven-botmans-netherlands-future-now-25066196) has left Netherlands under-21 coach **Erwin van de Looi ‘disappointed’**.**

After missing out on the Dutch senior side for the final international break before the World Cup, the 22-year-old was set to be part of his country’s under-21 set-up for upcoming friendlies with against Belgium and Romania.

However, the 6 ft 4 colossus has taken the decision to leave camp early, having [lost his place](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/sven-botman/leistungsdaten/spieler/361093) at club level in the Magpies’ most recent match against [Bournemouth](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/sven-botman/leistungsdaten/spieler/361093).

Speaking to [Voetbal International](https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/van-de-looi-teleurgesteld-in-botman-ook-voor-hemzelf-niet-overdreven-handig), Van de Looi has discussed Botman’s withdrawal and has hinted that it could affect the centre-back’s international future.

**Van de Looi unhappy with Botman**

He said: “I had telephone contact with Sven. We’ve talked about it. Of course I accept his decision, but I don’t understand him. It’s everyone’s free choice to come here, but I was disappointed with that announcement, that’s for sure.

“We are preparing for a European Championship, you would like to have everyone there. You also hope that everyone likes to come, but if they don’t, they don’t. Everyone has their free choice. But I don’t think it’s too convenient for him either.”

**Howe may be pleased**

Capped [12 times](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/sven-botman/nationalmannschaft/spieler/361093/verein_id/11944) by Netherlands at under-21 level, Botman is still awaiting his [first senior Oranje appearance](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/sven-botman/nationalmannschaft/spieler/361093/verein_id/11944) with Louis van Gaal at the helm.

However, with it now unlikely that the [£18k-per-week](https://salarysport.com/football/player/sven-botman/) gem will be part of the Dutch squad for the World Cup anyway given his lack of senior caps, it appears that he is fully focused on regaining his starting berth at St James’ Park.

Since his [£35m](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12644085/sven-botman-newcastle-complete-signing-of-lille-defender) summer move from Lille, the 22-year-old has [started just four](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/sven-botman/leistungsdaten/spieler/361093) of seven Premier League games, with [Dan Burn](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/dan-burn/leistungsdaten/spieler/134270) sharing responsibilities alongside Fabian Schar at centre-back, but this decision from Botman is likely to have caught Eddie Howe’s eye despite leaving his national team coach unhappy.