Marco van Basten has criticised the KNVB's decision to appoint Xavi Hernández as Netherlands head coach, arguing that Dutch football should be capable of producing its own coaches.
Speaking to Belgian radio station JOE's Coen & Sander Show ahead of Xavi's official unveiling, the former Oranje striker said he would have preferred a Dutch coach to take charge of the national team.
"If we in the Netherlands are not able to get a Dutch trainer in front of the group, then we are doing something wrong," Van Basten told the Coen & Sander Show.
While acknowledging that Xavi “was a good player”, Van Basten questioned why the KNVB had to look abroad for Ronald Koeman's successor, who left after the Netherlands' round-of-32 exit from the 2026 World Cup on penalties to Morocco.
Van Basten Questions Why KNVB Looked Abroad for Koeman's Successor
The criticism comes as Xavi officially begins his tenure. It is his first international management role after coaching Barcelona, with his contract running through the 2030 World Cup. His first match is scheduled for 24 September against Germany.
Van Basten's argument that the Netherlands should produce its own coaches carries added weight because a leading Dutch candidate was available.
Arne Slot was a prominent candidate for the role, but talks broke down, leaving the KNVB to look abroad for Koeman's replacement.
Van Basten Rules Himself Out of Any Return to Coaching
Van Basten is a former Oranje striker and Netherlands head coach. He made clear, however, that he is not putting himself forward for the role, telling JOE he is completely done with football and will not coach again.
The former AC Milan forward stepped away from football in January 2026, when he left his analyst role at Ziggo Sport after his wife became seriously ill.
He said he now watches the game from a distance and finds it difficult to see Ajax struggling, while enjoying the strong runs of Feyenoord and PSV.
“No, absolutely not. I’m completely done with football. I’m going to do other things. I watch it all from a bit of a distance, and for the rest, I’m not really bothered.”
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Van Basten is not the only prominent Dutch football figure to question the decision.
On the Dutch programme Vandaag Inside, Johan Derksen, Valentijn Driessen and Rene van der Gijp all questioned the appointment, with Van der Gijp saying Xavi “has never immersed himself in Dutch football” and does not know where Heerenveen and Groningen are.
Kenneth Perez, speaking on ESPN's Voetbalpraat, said he fears Xavi will face considerable “argwaan”, or suspicion, as Oranje coach.
The KNVB has appointed him to address the shortcomings of a Netherlands side that covered the fewest average distance of any team at both Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup.
KNVB director of top football Nigel de Jong wants the team to become more dominant and play with greater intensity.
