Guðmundur Þórður Guðmundsson could be set for a return to international coaching.
According to Icelandic outlet Handkastið, the experienced coach is in talks with the Dutch Handball Federation over taking charge of the Netherlands men’s national team. The talks are reportedly progressing in the right direction, with the Dutch federation keen to reach an agreement with the Icelandic coach.
The Netherlands are looking for a new head coach after announcing in June that Staffan Olsson’s contract would not be extended. The Swede had been in charge since September 2022.
Should Guðmundsson take the job, it would be his first national-team position since stepping down as Iceland head coach in February 2023.
The 65-year-old has most recently worked at club level with Fredericia HK. He took charge of the Danish side in 2022 and led them to the best results in the club’s history, including Danish league bronze in his first season and silver in 2024. Fredericia also reached the Danish Cup final and qualified for European competition, including the Champions League.
No job since September 2025
The club ended its cooperation with Guðmundsson in September 2025, despite previously extending his contract until 2027. He remains under contract with Fredericia, which could complicate negotiations with the Dutch federation.
Guðmundsson has an extensive international coaching résumé. He led Iceland for a total of 14 years across three spells, taking the team to 16 major tournaments and three Olympic Games. His greatest achievement came at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where Iceland won silver.
He also coached Denmark from 2014 to 2017, leading them to Olympic gold at Rio 2016 and silver at the 2014 European Championship. He later coached Bahrain, guiding them to silver at the 2018 Asian Championship.