New Netherlands coach Xavi Hernandez has promised to restore the attacking football associated with the Oranje as he begins a four-year tenure with the national team.
The former Spain and Barcelona midfielder said adopting an offensive approach and dominating matches would give the Netherlands a better chance of securing positive results.
“If we play good football, taking the initiative, dominating the game and playing in an offensive way, we will be closer to winning and getting results,” the 46-year-old said at his first news conference.
Xavi said his ambition was to make Dutch supporters proud of their national team by returning to an attractive style of football.
“I remember when I was a kid watching the Netherlands; you could watch good football. And this is my target — to play good football in order to be proud,” he said.
“We are here to compete, we are here to enjoy, and we are here to win. I insist, we are here to win.”
Xavi replaces Ronald Koeman on a four-year contract and becomes the first foreign coach of the Netherlands in 48 years.
The Barcelona legend won the 2010 World Cup with Spain as a player, defeating the Netherlands in the final. He had been without a head coaching position since leaving Barcelona in 2024.
Xavi began his managerial career with Qatari club Al-Sadd before taking charge of Barcelona, where he won the 2023 La Liga title. He was dismissed the following season and replaced by Hansi Flick.
Dutch Director of Football Nigel de Jong revealed that the federation had previously approached former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and ex-Liverpool boss Arne Slot before appointing Xavi.
The Spaniard will begin his tenure with a Nations League match against Germany on September 24.
“I feel excited; I feel motivated because we are playing against Germany, one of the best teams in Europe and one of the best coaches in recent years, Jurgen Klopp,” Xavi said.
The Netherlands have continued to struggle to convert their strong international pedigree into major tournament success. They have lost three World Cup finals and have never won the competition.
Their only major international title remains the 1988 European Championship, while they have also suffered four defeats in European Championship semi-finals, including a loss to England two years ago.
Xavi brings significant experience to the role following an illustrious playing career with Barcelona and Spain. He won four Champions League titles with Barcelona and ranks second behind Lionel Messi on the club’s all-time appearance list.
Renowned for his passing, vision and control in midfield, Xavi became one of the defining figures of Barcelona’s possession-based style during one of the club’s most successful eras.
He also finished third in the Ballon d’Or voting three consecutive times, behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as teammate Andres Iniesta.
Now in charge of the Netherlands, Xavi said his priority was to restore pride in the national team.
“We will work with passion, with ambition and with desire, in order that people in Holland, the 18 million people, are proud of our team,” he said.
