Former Barcelona midfielder targets a return to the Oranje’s attacking identity as he begins a four-year tenure with the national team

Xavi Hernandez has promised to restore the Netherlands’ attacking identity after taking charge of the national team, saying an adventurous approach built around possession, initiative and offensive football can help the Oranje return to winning ways.

Also read: Xavi Issues Bold 2026 World Cup Winner Prediction

The 46-year-old Spaniard made the commitment on Tuesday during his first news conference since being appointed Netherlands head coach on a four-year contract, replacing Ronald Koeman and becoming the country’s first foreign manager in 48 years.

“If we play good football, taking the initiative, dominating the game, playing in an offensive way, we will be closer to winning and to getting results,” Xavi told reporters.

The Xavi Promises Bold Football approach reflects the philosophy that defined his illustrious playing career with Barcelona and Spain, where technical control, intelligent movement and possession-based football became central to a dominant era.

Xavi said his ambition was not simply to make the Netherlands competitive, but to restore the pride associated with watching the Oranje play.

“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.

When asked whether attractive football or results mattered more, Xavi gave a straightforward answer.

“Both,” 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.”

The appointment comes as the Netherlands seek to move beyond another disappointing chapter in their international history.

The Oranje topped their group at the most recent World Cup but struggled to convince before being eliminated by Morocco on penalties in the last-32.

The Netherlands have long carried the reputation of being one of football’s great underachievers. They have reached three World Cup finals without winning the tournament, the most final defeats for a nation yet to lift the trophy.

Their only major international title remains the 1988 European Championship, while four subsequent European Championship semi-final defeats have reinforced their reputation as a team capable of coming close without completing the job.

Xavi’s first competitive test will be a home Nations League meeting with Germany on September 24, when he will face another high-profile figure making his first venture into international management, Liverpool legend Jurgen Klopp.

“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.

His appointment followed an extensive search by Dutch director of football Nigel de Jong, who revealed that the Netherlands had initially approached former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Liverpool boss Arne Slot before settling on Xavi.

The new coach appeared relaxed about the process.

“Well, it’s not a bad position after Guardiola and after Slot, no?” he joked.

“I don’t care if I’m the third or I’m the 10th one.”

Xavi arrives with an impressive playing and coaching pedigree. He won the 2010 World Cup with Spain, ironically defeating the Netherlands in the final, and collected four Champions League titles during a distinguished Barcelona career.

He remains second on Barcelona’s all-time appearance list behind Lionel Messi and was widely regarded as one of the finest midfielders of his generation.

His ability to dictate tempo and control matches became synonymous with the possession-based football that helped Barcelona dominate European football.

As a coach, Xavi began at Qatari club Al-Sadd before returning to Barcelona in 2021. He guided the Catalan club to the 2023 La Liga title but was dismissed at the end of the following season and replaced by Hansi Flick.

He has not managed a team since leaving Barcelona in 2024, making the Netherlands job his first return to the dugout in two years.

Xavi’s reputation as a coach is nevertheless closely tied to the principles that shaped him as a player.

His challenge now is to translate those ideas into an international side with limited preparation time and a squad under pressure to deliver.

He said the ultimate objective was to reconnect the national team with its supporters.

“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,” Xavi said.

For the Netherlands, the appointment represents an ambitious attempt to revive a footballing identity while finally turning attractive play into major tournament success.

Also read: Xavi Rules Out Messi Return to Barcelona

For Xavi, it is an opportunity to prove that the philosophy that made him one of football’s most celebrated midfielders can also succeed from the touchline.