It's the first time that the Dutch national team has a Spanish coach at the helm and the first time since 1978, when Ernst Happel was in charge during the World Cup, that a non-Dutch coach is in charge of the group. With the appointment of Xavi, the KNVB is breaking a trend and taking an interesting new step. The KNVB had earlier this summer also held talks with Arne Slot, Michael Reiziger and Roberto Martinez, but the choice fell on Xavi. With a choice for Xavi, the KNVB is choosing the Barcelona DNA, the Catalan club that is so strongly connected to Dutch football. That can be traced back to the 1970s, when Johan Cruijff, Johan Neeskens and Rinus Michels were the first Dutch players to settle in Nou Camp. One of the main candidates to assist Xavi - who is replacing Ronald Koeman - is his old teammate Patrick Kluivert (50), who has broad support within the KNVB. So says De Telegraaf. “Son of Orange” “I find it an enormous honor to become coach of the Dutch national team”, says Xavi. “As someone who has completed his education at the academy of FC Barcelona, with strong influences from Johan Cruijff and Rinus Michels, I feel a special connection to Dutch football. You could say that I am a bit of a son of Dutch football. Other big coaches, especially Louis van Gaal, who I made my debut under at Barcelona, and Frank Rijkaard, have played an important role in my development as a player and coach.” “The Netherlands has a rich football culture and a clear vision that also appeals to me greatly: attacking football, from possession, with creativity, passion and conviction”, continues Xavi. “Of course, the most important goal is always to win, but I'd like to do that in a way that those characteristics come back and that people can enjoy. The potential for that is available, as is a good foundation to build on. I look forward to starting this challenge together with the players, the staff and everyone within the KNVB.” “It is the intention to assemble a technical staff with Dutch input. Dutch knowledge of football, players and culture is of great value. By combining each other's knowledge and experience, we create the best conditions for the team to achieve the maximum from themselves and the player group in the future.” Barcelona icon Xavi Hernandez grew into one of the defining midfielders of his generation and the symbol of Barcelona's football. He completed his youth development at Barça from the age of 11 and played 767 official games for the club, winning 25 titles, including eight league titles and four Champions Leagues. As a playmaker, he was central to the successful Barcelona of Pep Guardiola, where his passing, positioning and ability to determine the tempo of a game perfectly matched the tiki-taka style of play. Xavi also had a golden period with Spain. He was a key player in the team that won the European Championship in 2008, the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championship in 2012. In 2008, he was also named the Player of the Tournament at the European Championship. After leaving Barcelona in 2015, Xavi continued his career at Al-Sadd in Qatar, where he later also became a trainer. In 2019, he stopped playing and started his coaching career. As a coach, Xavi returned to Barcelona in 2021, this time on the bench. With the appointment of Xavi, the KNVB is clearly stating that they are choosing a playmaker who knows the Dutch football culture and wants to play attacking football. Xavi has a rich experience and a clear vision that he wants to implement at Oranje. He promises a technical staff with Dutch input and an approach that will inspire the players and the staff to achieve the maximum from themselves and the player group.