Xavi Hernandez Ready to Show 'Passionate' Netherlands Ahead Germany Match

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez was appointed as Netherlands' national team manager earlier this month, and he was formally introduced on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. 

Speaking in a press conference on Tuesday, the new Netherlands coach pledged an attractive style of football and a desire to win, as the Dutch were kicked out of this year's World Cup during the round of 32.

Hernandez signed to a four-year deal with the Netherlands through the next World Cup in 2030. 

“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,” he said, as quoted from Channel News Asia.

Hernandez said he's ready to show a team "with passion, desire, and ambition" with Netherlands. 

"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," he added.

The Netherlands have long struggled to win in the World Cup, as the national team reached the final three times and lost them all. But Hernandez has a history of victories, according to ESPN.

As a former Barcelona midfielder, Hernandez helped the team win 25 titles, including four Champions Leagues and eight Spanish leagues. He was also key to a four-year run in which Spain won the 2010 World Cup and European Championships in 2008 and 2012.

Hernandez is also Netherlands' first foreign coach in nearly 50 years, since Ernst Happel at the 1978 World Cup. But he's unconcerned with this, stating that he's "here to create a big family in order to win."

“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," he said.

Hernandez will unveil his first Dutch squad in three weeks, facing off against Germany in Amsterdam on September 24 for the Nations League. Germany is also with a new coach, Jürgen Klopp, who replaced Julian Nagelsmann, who quit after another disappointing World Cup campaign.

"I feel excited," Hernandez remarked, referring to the upcoming match against Germany, which he referred to as "one of the best teams in Europe" with "one of the best coaches in the last years, Jürgen Klopp."

"It's a big challenge from the beginning, but I think we will be ready," he said.

Read: Xavi Hernandez Appointed Netherlands Coach on Contract Through 2030 World Cup

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News