Sergino Dest had little to say about Xavi Hernandez’s appointment as Netherlands national team manager — and made clear he thought someone else was better placed to answer. Speaking to ESPN Netherlands, the PSV Eindhoven full-back deflected questions about his former Barcelona coach, smiling and telling reporters they should direct their queries toward Frenkie de Jong instead.
Dest said de Jong would have a clearer picture of Xavi, given the midfielder’s far closer working relationship with him at Barcelona. When pressed further for his own recollections, Dest told reporters it had been too long. He carried few clear memories of that period at the club.
Xavi Appointment Draws Varied Reactions
As reported by Barca Universal, Xavi’s move to take charge of the Oranje has been one of the most discussed coaching stories of the week, with figures from across the game offering their takes. Dest is among the most notable voices to respond, given his direct experience working under Xavi at Camp Nou, though his comments were among the more guarded ones to emerge.
That guardedness says something. While de Jong offers a connection between the new manager and the Dutch squad, not every former Barcelona player views the appointment with obvious enthusiasm.
Dest’s Barcelona Spell and PSV Revival
Dest joined Barcelona with a strong reputation as one of Europe’s most promising young full-backs, but his stint at the Catalan club never fully delivered on that promise. A loan move to AC Milan during that period similarly failed to establish him as a consistent starter. PSV changed everything.
In Eindhoven, Dest rediscovered his best form and became a key contributor for the Dutch club before a serious injury disrupted his momentum. Since recovering, he has re-established himself as an important player for PSV, and his performances have attracted renewed transfer interest.
De Jong as the Key Xavi Connection
De Jong’s history with Xavi is considerably deeper than Dest’s. The Barcelona midfielder worked extensively under him during Xavi’s managerial tenure at Camp Nou, making him a natural focal point for any discussion of what the new Netherlands boss might bring to the national setup. Discussions around Barcelona’s squad dynamics remain active, [Manchester City Reject Barcelona’s Second Rodri Offer as Fee Gap Persists], adding another layer of complexity to the club’s current situation.
Dest’s redirect toward de Jong was telling. It placed the question firmly with a player who has sustained, first-hand insight into Xavi’s methods, not someone whose time under him was limited and, by his own account, not particularly memorable.
