Former PSV player Boudewijn Zenden has admitted he was surprised by the KNVB’s decision to appoint Xavi Hernández as the new Netherlands head coach, although he believes the former Barcelona midfielder has a strong connection to the Dutch football philosophy.

The KNVB brought an unexpected end to its lengthy search for Ronald Koeman's successor on Wednesday evening, announcing that Xavi had signed a contract running until the 2030 World Cup.

The appointment surprised many, including Zenden. Before Xavi emerged as the choice, former PSV player Michael Reiziger and Louis van Gaal had appeared to be among the leading candidates.

Speaking to De Telegraaf, Zenden revealed that Xavi's name had not been prominent in the discussions surrounding the vacancy.

“I was indeed surprised. That name was not mentioned in the first instance. A number of other names have been discussed over the past few days. Only today did that name suddenly come up. I didn't think that would happen so quickly. That's why it's extra surprising for me,” Zenden said as quoted by PSV Inside.

The former Netherlands international, who also worked as an assistant to Roger Schmidt at PSV, acknowledged that the appointment represents a clear departure from the KNVB's traditional preference for Dutch coaches.

However, Zenden believes Xavi's Barcelona background gives him an unusual connection to the Netherlands.

“It is a completely different direction from the KNVB. Once again, no Dutch national team coach. If you are going to choose a foreigner anyway, then Xavi is someone who is precisely very closely linked to Dutch football,” he continued.

Zenden's argument centres on Xavi's long association with Barcelona and the influence of Dutch football figures on the club's footballing identity.

“With his Barcelona background, he is a child of Dutch football because of the connections with coaches such as Johan Cruyff, Louis van Gaal and Frank Rijkaard. That means you can say that he is the most Dutch of the foreign coaches,” Zenden explained.

Xavi spent the vast majority of his playing career at Barcelona and later managed the Catalan club. Barcelona's possession-based approach, a philosophy that has long been associated with Johan Cruyff, heavily influenced his footballing education.

Nevertheless, Xavi has no direct playing or living experience in the Netherlands and is, by nationality and coaching background, a Spanish coach.

The KNVB's decision therefore represents a major shift in direction. Rather than appointing one of the experienced Dutch candidates who had been linked with the role, the federation has opted for a coach whose connection to Dutch football is primarily philosophical and historical.

Xavi's contract runs through the 2030 World Cup, giving the former Barcelona coach a long-term mandate to shape the Netherlands into his own vision.