Xavi Hernandez said he was unfazed at being third choice for the job of Netherlands national team head coach, as he was unveiled in his new role on Tuesday. Dutch Football Association (KNVB) technical director Nigel de Jong said Xavi was on a shortlist of four candidates for the coveted job after former Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola, and Arne Slot, who is still without a job after being fired by Liverpool in late May. They both declined. The other candidate was Michael Reiziger, who coaches the Netherlands' youth team.

The new coach was unfazed by the big names ahead of him in the selection process. "Well, it's not a bad position after Guardiola and after Slot. Third position. At least we are on the podium. I don't care," he said. The 46-year-old Xavi had been out of work since leaving his job as Barcelona coach in May 2024. He replaces Ronald Koeman after his departure following the World Cup, where the Netherlands lost in a penalty shootout to Morocco in the round of 32.

Xavi's playing career was shaped by Dutch coaches and now the former Barcelona and Spain midfielder wants to return the favor and rejuvenate a Netherlands team that disappointed with its defensive style at the World Cup. Louis van Gaal, who also coached the Netherlands, gave Xavi his debut for Barcelona. At his presentation Tuesday, Xavi sounded like he was harking back to the "total football" ideals of Johan Cruyff-led Dutch teams in the 1970s.

"We want to dominate the game, to take the initiative with the ball," he said. "And at the same time, our goal is to show to everybody a team with passion, with desire and ambition." Xavi's first test comes Sept. 24 in Amsterdam when the Netherlands play Germany, who also have a new coach -- Jürgen Klopp.