Xavi Hernandez’s Netherlands era begins with a revealing Van Gaal verdict

Xavi Hernandez’s appointment as the new manager of the Netherlands has surprised many observers, while former Barcelona manager Louis van Gaal has admitted he would have preferred Peter Bosz for the role.

The former Barcelona boss is set to succeed Ronald Koeman in charge of the Netherlands, a move few expected to be Xavi’s next step after leaving the Catalan club. His appointment mirrors the situation at Barcelona in 2021, when he also took over from Koeman.

Van Gaal, who managed Barcelona and has coached the Netherlands during three separate spells, reportedly believed another candidate would have been a better choice. The view was revealed by his friend, singer Dries Roelvink, in comments published by Spanish newspaper Sport.

“Louis van Gaal told me again yesterday, in detail, that he does not consider Xavi a bad choice by the Dutch federation, but personally he would have preferred Peter Bosz,” Roelvink said.

Van Gaal himself was among the leading names linked with a return to the Netherlands job. Arne Slot, Erik ten Hag and Bosz were also reported to be part of the group of candidates considered for the position.

The 75-year-old, who coached Xavi at Barcelona around two decades ago, nevertheless congratulated his former player after the appointment.

“Congratulations, Xavi. Good luck, my friend,” Van Gaal told him.

Xavi now faces a major challenge in his first senior international management role. In a brief statement after being appointed, he described the position as a significant honour and explained why he feels a strong connection with Dutch football.

“I consider taking the position of Netherlands manager a great honour. As someone who was developed at Barcelona’s academy and was heavily influenced by, among others, Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, I feel a special bond with Dutch football,” Xavi said.

In his first comments as Netherlands manager, Xavi also paid tribute to Van Gaal’s influence on his development, both as a player and as a coach.

“You could say that I am, to some extent, a son of Dutch football,” he said.

He added: “Several other great coaches, above all Louis van Gaal, with whom I made my first-team debut at Barcelona, and Frank Rijkaard, played an important role in my development as a player and as a coach.”

The appointment therefore brings together two strands of Xavi’s career: his education within Barcelona’s football system and the Dutch coaching tradition that helped shape it. Although Van Gaal had favoured Bosz, he has offered public support to Xavi as the former Barcelona manager begins an unexpected new chapter with the Netherlands.