ESPN analyst points at KNVB: ‘If you really wanted to hire Bosz…’

On Wednesday evening, ESPN analyst Hans Kraay Junior also received the news that the KNVB has appointed the Spaniard Xavi Hernandez as the new national team coach. For a long time, former PSV player Michael Reiziger and Louis van Gaal appeared to be the remaining candidates, but contrary to all expectations, Xavi was appointed.

According to Kraay, the appointment of the Spanish coach, who as a footballer became European champion twice and world champion once, is a good thing. However, the analyst believes that the KNVB could have done better with the search for Dutch candidates.

Once again, the name of PSV coach Peter Bosz comes up. ''I still think that the KNVB should have done more for Peter Bosz and Erik ten Hag. We know that Arne Slot thinks he is too young for the role of national team coach'', Kraay says in a video call with ESPN.

''With Bosz or Ten Hag you would have had that super-attack-minded style of football as well, and there would have been no question marks beforehand about whether, with five defenders and wing-backs, it would be played. Nothing in all of that with Xavi, nothing in all of that with Slot, Bosz or Ten Hag. If you really wanted to get Bosz, you could have gotten him. He has been in something of a split stance about whether he still wanted to go for his fourth year at PSV. The KNVB seemed to be interested in Bosz'', the analyst believes.

Subsequently, the reporter goes on about Ten Hag. ''Erik ten Hag said it was classy of them that they don't need to call him. Of these three, I think she only wanted Slot and preferably not Bosz and Ten Hag, says my gut feeling. That you end up with Xavi... I shouldn't be making a fuss about terp. He's not a pie-baker and plays attacking football; he has a Barcelona background'', Kraay continues.

Still, the analyst thinks Dutch football is heading for a great period. ''That's 4-3-3 with an attacking midfielder. We're assured of good and beautiful football; it's an experienced coach, but I would have preferred one of the three. It's Xavi time'', so the former footballer concludes.