Xavi Targets Dutch Glory as Netherlands Head Coach

“Today, I feel as though I am entering football’s university.” That was how Xavi Hernández began his first appearance as Netherlands head coach on Tuesday. He explained that Dutch football had taught him a great deal throughout his playing and coaching career, adding that he has long-standing ties to the country.

Those links began when Xavi entered La Masia, Barcelona’s renowned youth academy, where many principles were shaped by the Dutch total-football philosophy associated with Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff. Louis van Gaal handed him his senior debut, while he later played for several seasons under Frank Rijkaard. Xavi then became a central figure in Pep Guardiola’s outstanding Barcelona side, whose approach was strongly influenced by Cruyff.

In 2014, Xavi and Cruyff opened a multifunctional sports area for children in Xavi’s home city of Terrassa. On Tuesday, he recalled their meetings during the final years of Cruyff’s life before his death in 2016. Xavi said Cruyff remained optimistic and cheerful even while seriously ill. He hopes to bring that same positive attitude to his players, focusing first on supporting them, then enjoying their development while building towards success.

Xavi explained that he wants his side to control matches, take responsibility in possession and play with visible passion, determination and ambition. He considers those qualities essential to his coaching philosophy.

Attacking football has traditionally been a major part of the Dutch identity, making Xavi a natural candidate for the role. Asked whether he might deploy a five-man defence, as Louis van Gaal and Ronald Koeman occasionally did, he rejected that approach. Instead, he mentioned formations such as 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 and 3-4-3, which he believes provide greater control of matches.

Xavi confirmed that he had already spoken with Frenkie de Jong, whom he previously managed at Barcelona, as well as Virgil van Dijk. He plans to hold another conversation with Van Dijk soon to understand the captain’s goals for the national team.

The 46-year-old also made clear that players competing in the Saudi Pro League would remain eligible for selection. The issue became more significant after Tijjani Reijnders left Manchester City for Al-Qadsiah last week. Two years earlier, Ronald Koeman had taken a different position after Steven Bergwijn joined Al-Ittihad, saying the forward would no longer be selected because the competition did not meet his required standard.

Xavi said he regards the Saudi competition as a strong league and is prepared to choose players from there, the Eredivisie, the Premier League, La Liga or elsewhere. For him, individual quality and current form matter more than the competition in which someone plays.

Nigel de Jong, the Dutch football federation’s director of elite football, had previously outlined the recruitment process behind Xavi’s appointment. He first approached Guardiola, who indicated that he was not interested in accepting another position in the near future. De Jong then held two discussions with Arne Slot, but Slot ultimately decided to continue working at club level.

De Jong subsequently invited Xavi to Amsterdam for talks attended by Clarence Seedorf, who sits on the federation’s supervisory board. A day later, De Jong and Seedorf held an extensive discussion with Netherlands under-21 coach Michael Reiziger, a former Barcelona teammate of Xavi.

The federation considered promoting Reiziger through a pathway comparable to Luis de la Fuente’s rise with Spain. His detailed understanding of the country’s emerging players was viewed as a significant advantage. Once reports of the meeting appeared in the Dutch media, many expected the former full-back to receive the senior position. However, the federation unexpectedly announced Xavi as its choice on 12 August.

Xavi responded calmly when asked about the selection process, joking that finishing behind Guardiola and Slot still put him on the podium. He said it made no difference whether he had been the third or even the 10th candidate because leading the Netherlands was a major honour. According to Xavi, De Jong told him the team needed his philosophy and a renewed sense of ambition and passion, values that will guide their work together.

Xavi’s first assignment will be a Nations League match against Germany in Amsterdam on 24 September. There he will meet Jürgen Klopp, who is also beginning a new role. Xavi said he feels enthusiastic and highly motivated by the opportunity to face one of Europe’s strongest national teams and one of the most accomplished coaches of recent years.

Speaking alongside members of his coaching staff, including Ruud van Nistelrooy, Xavi said he wants the team to embrace the Dutch footballing style that impressed him during childhood. He remembers watching the Netherlands play attractive football as a boy and now aims to make that identity central to his own team.