Xavi Breaks Silence on Peter Bosz Criticism After Guus Til Netherlands Snub

Netherlands head coach Xavi Hernández has responded to Peter Bosz after the PSV manager questioned the way Guus Til was informed of his initial omission from the Oranje squad.

Til was surprisingly left out of Xavi’s first squad, despite having been part of the Netherlands’ World Cup group. Bosz was particularly unhappy that his midfielder had to discover the decision through the media rather than receiving a personal explanation from the KNVB.

“For him personally, that is extremely disappointing. He didn’t even get a call,” Bosz said last Friday. “That is quite unusual, because he was there at the World Cup. Guus had to find out via the media that he wasn’t in the squad.”

The situation changed a few days later when Til was called up after injuries ruled out Justin Kluivert and former PSV forward Donyell Malen. Malen was replaced in the squad by AZ striker Mexx Meerdink, while Til was added to Xavi’s selection.

Speaking at his press conference in Zeist on Monday, Xavi was asked about Bosz’s comments and the PSV manager’s dissatisfaction with the way Til’s omission had been handled.

The Spain international said he respected the views of coaches and journalists, but suggested that decisions surrounding the national team would inevitably lead to disagreement.

“I respect all opinions. Journalists and coaches will always miss players,” Xavi said, as quoted by PSV Inside. “But we all want what is best for the national team. Til is in any case there now.”

Xavi’s response came after Bosz had made clear that his concern was not simply Til’s omission but the absence of communication from the KNVB.

Bosz had struggled to understand why a player who featured in the Netherlands’ World Cup squad was not contacted directly before the decision became public.

Til’s eventual inclusion means the midfielder remains part of Xavi’s plans for the current international period. His call-up also comes after an important start to the season with PSV, where he has continued to operate in multiple attacking roles.

The episode nevertheless highlighted a difference in expectations between Bosz and the national team setup over communication with players who are left out of international squads.

For now, Til has received the outcome he wanted, with the 2026 World Cup squad member back in the Netherlands setup as Xavi prepares for the upcoming fixtures.