'I'm a winner' – Xavi relishing the pressure of Netherlands role

Xavi is relishing the pressure of being the Netherlands head coach, citing his success during his playing days as the reason why he is confident he will thrive in the role. 

On Tuesday, Xavi was officially unveiled as the new Netherlands boss after putting pen to paper on a four-year contract earlier this month to replace Ronald Koeman at the helm. 

The Oranje parted ways with Koeman for the second time in the wake of their round-of-32 exit at this summer's World Cup to Morocco on penalties. 

After Koeman's exit, the Netherlands were linked with several big-name coaches, including Dutch bosses Erik ten Hag and Arne Slot.

Former Belgium and Portugal boss Roberto Martinez was also touted as a possible candidate, but another Spaniard has ultimately taken the role.

Xavi will be the first foreign coach of the Netherlands since Ernst Happel in 1977-1978, but he has already described himself as a fan of the Dutch 'total football' approach that the likes of Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff brought to Barcelona, where he played most of his career. 

"I understand now that I'm a foreigner here, but I learnt a lot from the Dutch way of playing and ​what I learned. I ​want to return here ⁠to the federation," Xavi told reporters.

"I'm here to help the players, the staff. I'm here to create a big family in order to win. ​This is the main goal, and this is our objective as staff, ⁠and especially me as a head coach.

"I understand where I am, and I feel this pressure, but I love this pressure, and I'm a winner. This is what I showed ⁠during my ​career as a player and as a coach, and ​I'm ready."

Xavi had been out of management since leaving Barcelona in 2024, having won LaLiga in 2022-23 and the Supercopa de Espana in the same season. 

He recorded 90 wins, 23 draws and 29 defeats in 142 games in charge of the Blaugrana across all competitions, giving him a win percentage of 62.7%.

The former midfielder made his Spain debut in a friendly against the Oranje in 2000, while he also lifted the World Cup after overcoming them in the 2010 final in South Africa. 

Xavi's four-year contract means he will oversee the Netherlands' Euro 2028 campaign before leading them to the next World Cup in four years time. 

His first task will be to take charge of the Netherlands' Nations League campaign, which begins on September 24 against Germany, and he has vowed to inject new energy into the team following their disappointing early exit at the World Cup. 

"We have many talented players, but the most important thing for me is to ​create a team, a group and, football-wise, we want to create a very ​brave team to dominate the game, to take the initiative with the ball," Xavi added.

“And at the same time, our goal is to ​show everybody a team with passion, with desire and ambition. This is very important for ​me as a coach.

"We are here to compete, we are here to enjoy and we are here to win. I insist we are here to win. I believe a lot in this project.

"I believe a ​lot in the players, and I'm really excited to start."