The former Barcelona defender responds frankly to Xavi’s appointment in the Netherlands: “Ask Frenkie de Jong.”

The appointment of Xavi Hernandez as the new Dutch national team coach has become one of the biggest football stories of the week, with reactions continuing from across the game.

The latest to share his thoughts was Sergino Dest, who knows the former Barcelona coach from his time at the Catalan club.

However, the PSV Eindhoven full-back was not particularly interested in providing a detailed assessment of Xavi’s arrival as the new Oranje coach.

Speaking to ESPN, Dest instead pointed to one Barcelona player who, in his opinion, would be better placed to discuss Xavi’s qualities and what he could bring to the Netherlands squad.

Dest tells reporters to ask Frenkie de Jong about Xavi

Dest played under and alongside Xavi during his time at Barcelona, ​​although his time at the club did not develop as many expected when he first arrived.

When asked about Xavi’s appointment as Netherlands coach, the PSV Eindhoven defender gave a short answer and suggested that Frenkie de Jong would have a better answer.

Serginho Dest has no active memories of working with new national coach Xavi 👀🟠

“Just ask Frankie” 😅

🔗 https://t.co/shI5obefCz pic.twitter.com/PF1h09oa6l

-ESPNnl (@ESPNnl) August 13, 2026

“I think you should ask Frenkie de Jong.” He replied with a smile. “Ask Frenkie, he knows more.”

The interviewer continued to press Dest about his memories of playing alongside Xavi at Barcelona.

But again, the former Barcelona defender didn’t have much to add.

“It’s been a long time since then. To be honest, I don’t have many memories of that time.”

Dest’s comments were remarkably reserved, especially as he shared the dressing room with Xavi at Barcelona and was part of the squad during an important period in the club’s recent history.

His decision to point to Frenkie is understandable, although De Jong had a much closer relationship with Xavi, having worked under him extensively at Barcelona.

From Barcelona struggling to become a key man at PSV Eindhoven

Dest arrived at Barcelona with a growing reputation as one of the most promising young players in Europe.

However, he struggled to establish himself as a regular player in Blaugrana side.

A loan spell at Milan also failed to produce the progress he was looking for, but a move to PSV Eindhoven helped revive his career.

Dest rediscovered his best form in Eindhoven He became an important player for the Dutch club before a serious injury hampered his progress.

Since his recovery, he has returned to being a key figure at PSV Eindhoven, and his displays have attracted new interest in the transfer market.