Xavi Hernández has been officially presented as the new coach of the Netherlands national team by the Dutch football federation. The former FC Barcelona midfielder expressed his honor and outlined his vision for a more offensive playing style, favoring formations like 4-3-3 or 4-3-2-1 over a five-at-the-back system. This tactical shift aims to address criticisms that defensive play contributed to the team's World Cup exit following a loss to Morocco. Federation director Nigel de Jong revealed that Pep Guardiola was initially the first choice for the role, with Hernández being the third. Hernández, who sees himself as a "son of Dutch football," is tasked with thoroughly mapping the player group. He will work with a mixed staff, including Ruud van Nistelrooij, Adil Ramzi, and goalkeeping coach Patrick Lodewijks. The Netherlands' next fixture is a Nations League game against Germany on September 24. Hernández emphasized an open selection policy, prioritizing player readiness over names, ages, or club leagues.
