A new era for Dutch football
AMSTERDAM — Xavi Hernandez has signed a four-year deal as Netherlands coach, promising an attractive style of football but, more importantly, a desire to win. The former Barcelona midfielder and coach takes over a team that was eliminated in the last 32 at this year's World Cup, a setback that cost Ronald Koeman his job.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Xavi outlined his vision for the national team, emphasizing both style and substance. "We have many talented players, but the most important thing for me is to create a team, a group and football-wise we want to create a very brave team to dominate the game, to take the initiative with the ball," he said. "And at the same time, our goal is to show to everybody a team with passion, with desire and ambition. This is very important for me as a coach."
He added: "We are here to compete, we are here to enjoy and we are here to win. I insist we are here to win. I believe a lot in this project. I believe a lot in the players and I'm really excited to start."
First foreign coach in nearly 50 years
Xavi becomes the first foreigner to coach the Netherlands in almost 50 years, since Ernst Happel led the team at the 1978 World Cup. Despite his outsider status, he described himself as a devotee of Dutch 'total football', a philosophy associated with Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff, who had a profound influence on his own playing career.
"I understand now that I'm a foreigner here but I learnt a lot from the Dutch way of playing and what I learned, I want to return here to the federation," Xavi said. "I'm here to help all the players, all the staff. I'm here to create a big family in order to win. This is the main goal, and this is our objective now as a staff, and especially me as a head coach."
He acknowledged the weight of expectation, saying: "I understand where I am and I feel this pressure, but I love this kind of pressure and I'm a winner. This is what I show during my career as a player and as a coach, and I'm ready."
Reshaping the coaching staff
According to Spanish newspaper AS, Xavi has wasted no time in assembling his backroom team, blending trusted allies with Dutch expertise. Sergio Alegre and Oscar Hernandez, two of his most prominent former assistants, will work alongside him, while Ivan Torres continues as fitness coach, having previously worked with Xavi at Barcelona, Qatar and Leeds United.
Xavi also retained Ruud van Nistelrooy within the coaching staff, promoted Adel Ramzy from the under-19s to the senior side, and brought in Patrick Lodewijks as goalkeeping coach. The mix reflects his stated philosophy of surrounding himself with people who bring "different qualities, experiences and points of view" that complement one another.
A project through to 2030
Xavi's mandate runs to the 2030 World Cup, and his first test comes quickly: a Nations League match against Germany in Amsterdam on September 24, followed by Serbia and Greece in the same international break. He will announce his first squad in three weeks.
The task is considerable. The Netherlands are still coming to terms with an early World Cup exit, and the defeat against Morocco — on penalties in the round of 32 — proved pivotal, costing Koeman his job and opening the door for Xavi's appointment. The new coach inherits a team rich in talent, and he will be expected to restore the nation's standing on the international stage.
As Xavi put it, the goal is clear: "We are here to win." Whether he can translate his vision into results will begin to become clear when his Dutch side take to the pitch later this month.