Xavi has bizarre rule that could land Netherlands players in serious trouble
Xavi Hernandez has made a stunning return to football management with the Netherlands and his players will have to follow one of his strictest rules.
The legendary former midfielder has been out of work since leaving Barcelona in April 2024 and has been spending time away from the dugout with ambassadorial duties.
However, on Wednesday, he was confirmed as the new Netherlands manager in a surprise announcement.
The 46-year-old has signed a four-year contract to replace Ronald Koeman, who he also succeeded at Barcelona.
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Xavi becomes the first non-Dutch coach of the national team since 1978 but looks to implement the 'total football' principles that he became accustomed to in his La Masia education at Barca.
But while his style of football is clear, Xavi is also a strict disciplinarian who makes sure his players are in order.
In November 2021, Xavi took the reins at a Barca side who were languishing in ninth position and according to AS, he brought in a list of rules that all plays had to follow.
Top of the agenda was players arriving 90 minutes early to training and his staff required to be in the building even earlier than that.
Xavi also asked that all players eat at the training ground to oversee their diets more closely. Previously they were allowed to eat elsewhere.
Fines were also introduced and doubles for repeat offenders, while there was a midnight curfew brought in two days before any game.
Off-pitch habits were a big focus and one of the unusual rules saw 'risky' activities banned. Under this directive, players were prohibited from going surfing or riding an electric bike and it would be considered "a flagrant breach of contract" if they did.
Although very club specific, it means that the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Frenkie de Jong will have to curb any wild extra-curricular hobbies that are deemed to be hazardous.
Xavi Hernandez calls himself a 'son of Dutch football' after taking Netherlands job
During his break from football, Xavi received plenty of offers from clubs and international teams but did not accept any.
He jumped at the chance to manage the Netherlands, who were knocked out of the World Cup at the round of 32 and have never won the tournament despite reaching the final on three occasions.
"I consider it a tremendous honour to become head coach of the Dutch national team," Xavi said after being appointed the new manager.
"As someone who received his training at Barça's academy, with strong influences from Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, among others, I feel a special connection to Dutch football.
"You could say that I am a partly a son of Dutch football. Other great coaches, especially Louis van Gaal, under whom I made my debut at Barça, and Frank Rijkaard, also played an important role in shaping me as a player and coach."
Xavi also spoke about the Netherlands "possessing a rich football culture and a clear vision".
His first game in charge will be next month when the Netherlands take on Germany on 24 September, before they take on Serbia and Greece in further Nations League fixtures.
Topics: Netherlands, Virgil Van Dijk, Xavi
Josh Lawless