Gullit on Xavi's appointment: He is here to bring Netherlands back to basics
Legendary Dutch midfielder Ruud Gullit has shared his expectations for the national team under the Spanish coach.
Former AC Milan star Ruud Gullit has opened up about his expectations for the Netherlands national team under the guidance of Spanish coach Xavi. According to the legend, the team has lost its signature identity in recent times.
The national team stopped playing in its own style. At the last World Cup, we used five defenders on the pitch. How is that even possible? It was a major disappointment for me. They brought in Xavi as head coach specifically to bring us back to our roots.Ruud Gullit
Gullit emphasized that the appointment is aimed at shifting the team's tactical philosophy. It is expected that Xavi will move away from defensive-minded setups in favor of a more traditional, attacking style of football associated with the Netherlands.
Xavi's official debut as head coach will take place during the UEFA Nations League group stage, where the Netherlands will face Germany. This match will serve as the first test for the new staff and a measure of how quickly the squad can adapt to the requested changes.