Pep Guardiola was dream candidate for Netherlands job, director Nigel de Jong reveals

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/guardiola-pep/hxNijWrJ/"]Guardiola[/a] has been out of a job since stepping down as [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/manchester-city/Wtn9Stg0/"]Manchester City[/a] manager following the 2025/26 season.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/de-jong-nigel/ppMXeAcc/"]Nigel de Jong[/a], former Manchester City midfielder and current Director of Elite Football at the KNVB, revealed in an interview with Dutch news outlet [a href="https://nos.nl/artikel/2627895-de-jong-onthult-namen-shortlist-naast-xavi-ook-guardiola-slot-en-reiziger-kandidaat"][i][b]NOS[/b][/i][/a] that Guardiola was the dream candidate to succeed the resigned [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/koeman-ronald/vHeYAvb2/"]Ronald Koeman[/a], but that a deal was out of the question and he had to move on quickly.[/p][p][b]"We realised quite early on that he wanted to take a sabbatical, and (Arne) Slot was next on the list," [/b]De Jong said.[/p][p]Slot, long rumoured to be the top candidate, passed on the job because he preferred to stay a club coach, with De Jong confirming that he had no more than two meetings with Slot.[/p][image alt="Arne Slot (L) and Pep Guardiola were the favourites to get the Netherlands job" id="8944721d-7890-454f-88c0-1cec0682abc6" credit-line="Photo by MICHAEL REGAN / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP" guid="9e6bab60-8e3a-45d7-8d6e-60c8a6abab84" original-width="5021" original-height="3406" /][p][b]"We have to respect that. We didn’t discuss the contract length at all. The conversation focused entirely on the substance, his vision and what sort of coach he is."[/b][/p][p]Another name that was often mentioned was that of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/psv/M9UEHJWi/"]PSV[/a] manager Peter Bosz, who extended his contract with the reigning Eredivisie champions in May and was never a real candidate: "Peter is a brilliant coach, but we looked at his profile, qualities and availability. We drew up the shortlist based on that."[/p][h2]'Xavi is the best choice'[/h2][p]The search for the new [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/netherlands/WYintcWb/"]Netherlands[/a] manager was down to two names: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/reiziger-michael/4vMhtVWl/"]Michael Reiziger[/a], whom De Jong met along with supervisory board member [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/seedorf-clarence/bJU1d0PL/"]Clarence Seedorf[/a] for an extensive talk, and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/xavi/bs5KnIiT/"]Xavi Hernandez[/a].[/p][p]Michael Reiziger is currently the Netherlands U21 manager and was in serious contention for the job: [b]"We view him from the organisation’s perspective. And there was a good reason why we brought him on board three years ago,"[/b] De Jong said.[/p][image alt="Nigel de Jong (R) and Xavi during the 2010 FIFA World Cup final" id="a1bb7b87-298f-44ac-ac3e-cfbfb689bf7d" credit-line="Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP" guid="58c80596-a13d-4c3c-a96f-8389cd38e7b7" original-width="3248" original-height="2165" /][p][b]"Firstly, because he has the potential to develop. And secondly, because we saw him as a potential national team manager. To this day, I hold Michael in very high regard. He knows that too. We believe he can become a successful coach and a potential national team manager in the future."[/b][/p][p]In the end, De Jong and the KNVB hired former [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/barcelona/SKbpVP5K/"]Barcelona[/a] great Xavi Hernandez, whom they admired for his intangibles.[/p][p][b]"For his passion, the dominance he exudes, and his experience as a manager from his two previous jobs. But apart from that, I think he has the personality to get to the boys in a certain way and embrace the football culture and identity we like to see embraced in the Dutch national team."[/b][/p][p]In his opening statement as Netherlands manager, Xavi underlined how he wants his team to play and honour Dutch football heritage.[/p][embed guid="b05cebc5-5c38-421f-bd2c-fba4ab6782c5" url="https://x.com/OnsOranje/status/2087616022010364259?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]"The Netherlands has a rich football culture and a clear vision that really appeals to me: attacking football, based on possession, with creativity, passion, and conviction,” [/b]said Xavi, who's been a vocal admirer and follower of Johan Cruyff throughout his career.[/p][p][b]“Of course, the most important goal is and always will be to win, but I prefer to do so in a way that reflects those characteristics and that people can enjoy. The potential is there, as is a solid foundation to build on. I look forward to taking on this challenge together with the players, the staff, and everyone at the KNVB.”[/b][/p][p]Xavi will officially be presented on Tuesday, August 25th, with a press conference at the KNVB headquarters in Zeist. The Spaniard's first official match as Netherlands manager will be on [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/germany-ptQide1O/netherlands-WYintcWb/?mid=YTiXRfng"]September 24th[/a], when they'll face Germany in the UEFA Nations League.[/p]