Former Barcelona midfielder Ibrahim Afellay has named Pep Guardiola as his dream candidate to become the next head coach of the Netherlands national team.
Speaking on NOS on Saturday, Afellay urged the Dutch football association to immediately approach Guardiola, who is currently a free agent after leaving Manchester City at the end of last season.
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Afellay: Guardiola is the Best Option
"I think he is both a club coach and a national team coach. It is no coincidence that every trainer wants to imitate him," Afellay said.
"He has actually taken football to another level."
"If such a person is free, I would always try.
You would kick yourself afterwards if he gets the question: were you willing to become national coach of the Netherlands?
And he says yes and he was not approached... Then you can look at other options again," he added.
While Liverpool manager Arne Slot has also been mentioned as a potential candidate, Afellay emphasized that Guardiola remains his undisputed priority.
"Yes, absolutely. You always go for the best option, right?
If you try and he says no, then I understand that you move on to Arne Slot," Afellay said.
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Former Dutch footballer John van 't Schip expressed skepticism about Guardiola accepting the role, despite acknowledging his strong ties to Dutch football.
"But he loves Dutch football. Johan (Cruijff, ed.
) is his idol, his great teacher. The lines are there, but I think he wants some rest.
National coach is a somewhat quieter job, but I don't think he will start it," Van 't Schip said.
Striker Kaj Sierhuis supported the proposal, highlighting that a high-profile foreign manager could significantly elevate the national squad's performance.
"I would always approach Pep Guardiola. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Suppose he does it, I would think it's fantastic to see a foreign national coach with an enormous track record.
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He might take the Dutch national team to a new level," Sierhuis said.
