Xavi Hernandez faced sharp criticism in the Netherlands, just one day after taking on the task of coaching the Dutch national team, amid objections from a number of former national team stars to the decision to appoint the Spanish coach.
According to what "Ziggo Sport" channel reported, former international player Theo Jansen expressed his rejection of the idea of appointing a foreign coach, saying: "I think there should be a Dutch coach. Communication, and the like, is easier with a Dutch coach."
Daly Blind, who played his last international matches with the Netherlands in 2024, agreed with Jansen, and said: "I also prefer a Dutch coach. I think they missed a valuable opportunity with Peter Bos. And if they had followed the matter more seriously before the World Cup, they would have chosen him."
Peter Bos, the current technical director of Eindhoven, was among the most prominent candidates to lead the Dutch national team, before the choice fell on Xavi.
For his part, former Dutch star Hans Kraay Junior expressed his support for the Spanish coach, despite also preferring Bos, and said: "He is not an ordinary coach. He plays attacking football. We look forward to watching beautiful, high-quality football. Now that the decision has been made, we will support Xavi with all our might."
Xavi is preparing for his first official test with the Dutch national team on September 24, 2026, when he faces Germany at the Johan Cruyff Arena, in the UEFA Nations League.
The match will also mark Jurgen Klopp's first appearance in charge of the German national team, making the start of Xavi's mission with the Netherlands under great pressure.
