Adil Ramzi’s long association with PSV and Dutch youth football has earned him a place on Xavi Hernández’s new Netherlands coaching staff.

The 49-year-old sees the role as an opportunity to help develop the next generation of Oranje talent.

For Adil Ramzi, life without football has never really been an option. The former professional, who spent years at PSV both as a player and coach, has now taken another significant step in his coaching career by joining the Netherlands national team staff alongside new head coach Xavi Hernández.

Ramzi’s appointment reflects a career built around development, discipline and an intimate knowledge of Dutch football’s emerging talent. His connection with PSV dates back to the early 2000s, when he was known for maintaining an exceptionally high level of physical fitness.

“I joined PSV in the early 2000s and had a conversation with Luc van Agt, the fitness coach at the time. He looked me straight in the eye and said five words: ‘Make sure you stay fit.’ I’ve always remembered that,” Ramzi said, as quoted by PSV watcher Rik Elfrink of Eindhovens Dagblad.

That mentality has remained with him throughout his transition from player to coach. Ramzi believes discipline is something that must be trained just like any other part of the game.

“Anyone who wants to win trophies has to make sacrifices and put in the work every day,” he explained.

Ramzi arrived in the Netherlands from Morocco in 1998 and says the country gave him the opportunity to develop both personally and professionally.

“I arrived here as a young Moroccan boy and was truly given every opportunity. Life is also about seizing those chances.”

His relationship with PSV became particularly important after his playing career ended. He began coaching with the club’s Under-16s around 12 years ago before progressing through the academy, joining the first-team staff and eventually taking charge of Jong PSV.

“Every club I played for gave me something special. Ultimately, I feel I’ve become a true PSV man, because the club gave me the chance to develop as a coach after my playing career ended. For so many reasons, PSV feels like home to me.”

His coaching journey also crossed paths with Ruud van Nistelrooij, who is now part of the Netherlands staff alongside him.

“We’ve known each other for 26 years and know exactly where we stand with one another. Ruud is a gentle person and incredibly driven as a professional. I’m determined not to leave anything to chance on the sporting front, yet I also value people who are open, warm, and friendly. That is exactly what I’ve found in the current Dutch national team staff.”

Before joining the senior national team, Ramzi had spent two years coaching the Netherlands Under-18 and Under-19 teams. KNVB Director of Elite Football Nigel de Jong subsequently approached him about joining the senior technical staff.

The decision also makes sense from a talent-development perspective. Ramzi has worked with numerous players who have gone on to establish themselves at the highest level, including Cody Gakpo and Denzel Dumfries.

“I worked with Cody [Gakpo] and Denzel [Dumfries] as a staff member back at PSV, and in recent years, I’ve worked with all the up-and-coming talents. I am grateful to the KNVB for the opportunity to share the experience I’ve gained with the new national team coach.”

Xavi’s record of trusting young players was another attraction.

“At FC Barcelona, this national team coach literally demonstrated that he is willing to give players opportunities at a young age. For instance, he brought Lamine Yamal into the Barcelona squad when he was still very young. If a young talent proves themselves, they can also come into contention for the Dutch national team.”

The language barrier is unlikely to be an issue. Ramzi, a 41-time Morocco international, is fluent in Spanish, allowing him to communicate directly with Xavi.

“I found the introduction over the past few days to be wonderful and warm. You can sense the desire to build something together in everything.”

For Ramzi, the next chapter is therefore clear: combine his experience in Dutch talent development with Xavi’s vision and help prepare the next generation of Oranje players.