Xavi takes charge of Netherlands national football team until 2030

The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) has surprisingly appointed Xavi Hernández as the new head coach of the Netherlands national team, signing him to a contract through the 2030 World Cup. This move comes after a prolonged vacancy for the position, which saw other prominent candidates like Arne Slot, Jörgen Klopp, and Zinedine Zidane take up roles elsewhere.

Xavi, who played under Pep Guardiola at FC Barcelona and was deeply influenced by Johan Cruyff, expressed a strong personal connection to Dutch football. He described himself as "a bit of a son of Dutch football," a sentiment that appears to align with the KNVB's efforts to present him as a dream candidate following a period of silence regarding the coaching role.

His coaching career includes a 2.5-year stint at FC Barcelona, where he was ultimately dismissed. During his time as a player, Xavi was notably influenced by Cruyff's philosophy, which he credits as the foundation of Barcelona's successful style of play. He also debuted for Barcelona under Louis van Gaal, whom he later praised as a great person who believed in his abilities.

The KNVB's decision to appoint Xavi, a figure deeply rooted in the "tiki-taka" style associated with Cruyff and Barcelona, signals a potential strategic direction for the Dutch team. Xavi intends to incorporate Dutch talent into his coaching staff, further emphasizing his connection to the nation's footballing heritage.