Xavi Netherlands coach tenure began with a clear promise: the former Barcelona midfielder wants the Dutch national team to play brave, attractive football while maintaining an uncompromising focus on winning. Xavi said his plans in his first press conference on Tuesday at his new job, which runs through the 2030 World Cup.
The 46-year-old Spaniard replaces Ronald Koeman, who has been relieved of his duties after the Netherlands were beaten by Morocco in the World Cup’s last 32. Xavi said his main goal was to create a solid block that is able to dominate games with possession and has more passion, ambition and initiative.
“Winning is always going to be the focus of my project, we here to compete we here to enjoy we here to win,” Xavi repeated, emphasising that winning was the main goal for his project.
It’s also very historical that Xavi has been appointed. He is the first foreign coach of all times to lead the Netherlands after Austrian coach Ernst Happel at the 1978 World Cup. His relationship with Dutch football, however, is strong due to his education as well as his playing days at the Catalan club, where Cruyff, Rinus Michels, and others had a great impact on the club’s football philosophy.
Xavi is a big fan of the Dutch system, which he feels he has learnt a lot from and now wants to be able to pass on to the national federation. His goal is to establish a team environment that is close and that has a team spirit towards success.
His debut competitive match will be on the road at the Netherlands’ Amsterdam Arena on September 24 against Germany in the Nations League. With the appointment, Xavi is in charge of the Netherlands for the Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup, giving him an extended chance to build his footballing reputation.
