Xavi has a strange rule that might get Netherlands players into big trouble.
Xavi Hernandez is making an exciting comeback to football management with the Netherlands, and his players will need to follow some of his toughest rules.
The famous former midfielder has been out of a coaching job since leaving Barcelona in April 2024 and spent some time focusing on ambassador roles. But on Wednesday, it was announced that he is the new manager of the Dutch national team.
At 46 years old, Xavi signed a four-year deal to take over from Ronald Koeman, who he also replaced at Barcelona. He is the first non-Dutch coach for the Netherlands since 1978 and plans to bring the “total football” style he learned at La Masia, Barcelona’s famous youth academy.
Besides his clear football style, Xavi is known for being a strict coach who demands order from his players. When he took over Barcelona in November 2021, the team was struggling in ninth place. Reports say he introduced a list of rules that players had to follow, like arriving 90 minutes early for training and having his staff come even earlier.
Xavi also insisted that players eat their meals at the training ground so he could watch their diets closely. Before, they could eat anywhere they wanted. Fines were set up for rule breakers, doubling for repeat offenders. There was even a midnight curfew starting two days before games.
Off the field, Xavi focused on players’ habits, forbidding risky activities like surfing or riding electric bikes. Doing these could be seen as breaking their contracts. So players like Virgil van Dijk and Frenkie de Jong will have to avoid any dangerous hobbies.
During his time away from coaching, Xavi had many offers but turned them down. He was excited to take the Dutch job, especially since the Netherlands, though reaching the World Cup final three times, has never won it and recently got knocked out early.
“I’m very honored to become the head coach of the Dutch national team,” Xavi said after his appointment. “Being trained at Barça, with influences from Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, I feel a strong connection to Dutch football. You could say I am partly a son of Dutch football. Coaches like Louis van Gaal and Frank Rijkaard also helped shape me as a player and coach.”
Xavi praised the Netherlands for their rich football culture and clear vision. His first game as manager will be next month against Germany on September 24, followed by matches against Serbia and Greece in the Nations League.