Ronald de Boer backs Kluivert for role on Xavi’s Netherlands staff
The former Oranje international believes Patrick Kluivert’s relationship with the new national-team coach would make him an ideal assistant.
UnconfirmedThis report is based on Dutch media speculation and has not been confirmed by the clubs or players involved.
Ronald de Boer has urged the KNVB to consider Patrick Kluivert as an assistant to new Netherlands head coach Xavi Hernández. De Boer told De Telegraaf that appointing his former Barcelona team-mate would be a logical and sensible move by director of elite football Nigel de Jong and technical commissioner Clarence Seedorf.
De Boer’s argument centres on the relationship between Xavi and Kluivert, who played together and remain close friends. He believes the new Oranje coach needs a trusted figure alongside him and said Xavi “trusts Patrick completely”. No appointment of Kluivert was confirmed in the report.
Kluivert’s language skills and previous coaching experience were also highlighted. He speaks Dutch and Spanish as well as English and French, has already served as a Netherlands assistant under Louis van Gaal and is familiar with Dutch football. De Boer considers those qualities more important than the potential diversity benefits of adding Kluivert to the staff.
De Boer also welcomed Xavi’s appointment, describing it as an enjoyable surprise. He portrayed the 46-year-old as calm, thoughtful and modest despite his status in the game. The former Netherlands international believes Xavi’s preference for possession-based football fits the Dutch tradition, adding that his intelligence and ability to anticipate situations as a player made a future coaching career a natural development.
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- Nieuwe bondscoach Xavi Hernandez: Patrick Kluivert als ideale assistent | De Telegraaf— Telegraaf Voetbal
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