The Netherlands have appointed Xavi Hernández as their new national team coach, and attention is already turning to the composition of his coaching staff.

One of the first pieces of clarity concerns former PSV coach Ruud van Nistelrooij, who is expected to remain as an assistant after working alongside Ronald Koeman during the World Cup in North America.

Dutch football watcher Pascal Kamperman believes retaining Van Nistelrooij would make sense for Hernández, particularly given the former PSV coach's existing experience with the national team and his ability to speak Spanish.

“Different names are making the rounds. I can imagine that he wants to keep Ruud van Nistelrooij, who was already an assistant and speaks Spanish. The name of Patrick Kluivert is also mentioned, which is also not illogical. He’ll have to deal with that first, and only then with the squad,” Kamperman said on ESPN Vandaag, as relayed by PSV Inside.

Hernández's appointment came after more than six weeks of uncertainty surrounding the KNVB's search for Koeman's successor. Michael Reiziger and Louis van Gaal had previously been widely discussed as leading candidates before the former Barcelona manager emerged as the federation's choice.

With Hernández now in place, the make-up of his staff will be an early priority.

Hans Kraay Jr. stressed that he hopes the new coach will retain sufficient Dutch influence rather than bringing an entirely Spanish-based staff to the Netherlands.

“I can only hope that Nigel de Jong said: you may become national team coach, but take one thing into account. Michael Reiziger will be assistant and Ruud van Nistelrooij is one of the assistants. So you take one yourself, but not a whole plane load. That won't work,” Kraay said.

Kamperman suggested Hernández is likely to bring at least some familiar faces with him, including his brother, while also maintaining Dutch representation.

“That will then also be his brother, whom he takes with him everywhere. In addition, he absolutely wants Dutch input in his staff. He has indicated that himself,” the Oranje watcher said.

For Van Nistelrooij, remaining with the national team would provide continuity after his involvement at the World Cup and keep him within the Dutch setup as Hernández begins preparing for his first major assignment.