Xavi Hernández criticizes FIFA schedule and appoints Adil Ramzi

Xavi Hernández, the new head coach of the Netherlands national football team, has criticized FIFA’s expanded international match scheduling. He expressed concern that playing four matches within an 11-day period during the UEFA Nations League poses significant risks to player health and increases injury rates. Hernández noted that the condensed schedule is detrimental to both national teams and clubs, citing recent injuries to several Dutch players as evidence.

In a strategic move to address talent competition, Hernández has appointed former Moroccan international Adil Ramzi to his coaching staff. Ramzi’s deep understanding of the Dutch football environment and his familiarity with players of Moroccan descent are seen as vital assets. This appointment comes as Morocco has successfully recruited numerous dual-nationality talents from the Netherlands, such as Noussair Mazraoui and Ismail Saibari, making the recruitment of such players a highly competitive area between the two nations.