Xavi sidesteps awkward Netherlands unveiling question with medal joke

Xavi Hernandez responded with humour after being told he was the Netherlands’ third choice to become their new manager, following approaches to Pep Guardiola and Arne Slot.

The former Barcelona midfielder was officially presented in Zeist, where Nigel de Jong, the Dutch football association’s technical director, revealed details of the recruitment process while sitting alongside Xavi on the stage.

De Jong said the Netherlands had initially approached Guardiola, but the Manchester City manager had preferred to take a year away from coaching. Their attention then turned to Slot, who chose to remain focused on club football before the association settled on Xavi.

The disclosure immediately gave Dutch journalists an opportunity to test the new manager during his first official media appearance. Xavi was asked directly how he felt knowing he had been considered after Guardiola and Slot.

Rather than appearing uncomfortable, the Spaniard replied with a broad smile and a light-hearted reference to a sporting podium:

“I came after Guardiola and Slot? The important thing is that I was on the podium! I do not care at all if I was the third choice; this appointment is a badge of honour for me.”

Xavi’s response effectively presented him as the “bronze medallist” in the Netherlands’ search for a manager, rather than someone who had been overlooked or forgotten. His relaxed answer allowed him to turn a potentially awkward question into a confident opening statement.

De Jong then sought to explain why the Dutch federation ultimately chose Xavi. He said the new manager viewed himself as an extension of the Dutch football philosophy and shared a commitment to attacking, possession-based football built around control and initiative.

Those qualities made Xavi the best fit to lead the Netherlands’ rebuilding project following Ronald Koeman’s departure after the disappointing World Cup exit against Morocco in the last 32.

The appointment gives Xavi his first opportunity to manage a national team after a career spent largely in the Barcelona environment. He is familiar with the principles traditionally associated with Dutch football, including the emphasis on possession, attacking intent and taking the initiative in matches.

His composure during the presentation also reflected his long experience of dealing with intense scrutiny in Spain. Xavi spent many years under the close attention of the Catalan and Spanish media, first as a Barcelona player during difficult periods for the club and later as its manager.

As a coach, he regularly faced heavy criticism after poor results and was required to respond to difficult questions at press conferences. Against that background, the attempt to unsettle him over his position in the Netherlands’ original shortlist presented a relatively minor challenge.

Instead, Xavi used the moment to underline his confidence in the appointment. Although Guardiola and Slot had been considered first, he made clear that he regarded the Netherlands job as a significant honour and was unconcerned by the order in which the candidates had been approached.