According to Sport1, Van der Vaart discussed new Netherlands coach Xavi, the Netherlands' World Cup defeat, and Ajax's acquisition of Brandt and Ter Stegen in an exclusive interview.
He also commented on his dispute with Klopp over Van Dijk, admitting that some of his words were excessive, but still sticking to his original opinion.
Xavi? "I was a bit surprised"
SPORT1: Mr. Van der Vaart, Xavi has become the new head coach of the Netherlands. Honestly, were you excited or surprised when you first heard this name?
Van der Vaart: I was indeed a bit surprised. I didn't expect it at all. But I think it's interesting. Although Xavi is Spanish, if you understand his football philosophy, you will find many elements of Dutch football in it. Johan Cruyff had a huge influence on Barcelona, and this connection still exists today. Xavi wants to control the ball, play his own football, and control the game. Overall, this suits us very well. Now it depends on whether he can truly bring this set of ideas as a national team coach.
SPORT1: Xavi even calls himself a "son of Dutch football". Do you agree?
Van der Vaart: Of course, why not? He is certainly not Dutch, but we are talking about his football DNA here. He grew up with this philosophy. Ball control, technique, creating space, always looking for passing solutions - these are all very Dutch. Maybe we even need an outsider to remind us what Dutch football used to be best at.
SPORT1: Does his appointment also send a signal to Dutch coaches? For the first time in 48 years, the Oranje will be coached by a foreign coach. Has Dutch football overestimated its coaching system a bit?
Van der Vaart: No, I don't think so. We have very good Dutch coaches. But the key is not nationality, the key is who is best for this team now. If the Dutch FA believes Xavi is the best fit, then they should go that route. We Dutch always say we want to play bravely, so we should also be brave when choosing a coach.
SPORT1: Koeman led the Netherlands to the semi-finals of the European Championship in 2024, but they were eliminated by Morocco in the first round of the World Cup knockout stage. Did Koeman not maximize the abilities of this group of players?
Van der Vaart: Koeman generally did a good job, and so did his first coaching period. It wasn't bad working with him, but it hasn't been good enough lately. We have good players, really good players. Of course, in terms of squad depth, we can't compare with France, and maybe not with Spain either. But with this strength, we should have shown more at the World Cup. Many times I didn't feel enough conviction. What I want to see is: the Dutch team goes on the field to dominate the opponent. At the World Cup, I didn't always have that feeling.
SPORT1: Will Xavi be a better fit for this team than Koeman?
Van der Vaart: He has to prove it first. Koeman is very experienced and knows Dutch football almost better than anyone. But Xavi brings something new, a different energy, and a very clear idea of how the team should play. The Dutch team needs that now.
SPORT1: What does Xavi need to change first?
Van der Vaart: Courage, and joy. I want to see a team that loves to control the ball, and you can tell they want to create chances. We have those players. Xavi must give them clear ideas, and at the same time let them know that making mistakes is acceptable. If you want to play attacking football, you will lose the ball, which is normal.
SPORT1: Xavi's first match is very important: against Germany on September 24, and the opponent is the new German national coach Klopp.
Van der Vaart: That's great, of course. Xavi against Klopp, Netherlands against Germany, there's no better start. For us Dutch, Germany is never just a normal match. Now both teams have new coaches, I'm really looking forward to it.
SPORT1: Dutch club football is also changing. Ajax has signed two big German names, Brandt and Ter Stegen. Is Ajax finally like Ajax again?
Van der Vaart: I hope so. For me, Ajax should be at the top. The past few years, some games have been really ugly. Now the club is showing ambition again. Ter Stegen has amazing experience, and Brandt can certainly play. These names will make rivals realize: Ajax wants to do something again.
SPORT1: But you didn't sound particularly excited when you recently talked about Brandt. You called him a "fair-weather player" and even said he wasn't even 20% of your level. What exactly is Brandt better at than Van der Vaart?
Van der Vaart: (laughs) It's best if Brandt tells you that himself. Maybe he can find one thing. Seriously, sometimes I speak very directly. But I also said he's a good player, and that's true. Brandt is technically very good and can also decide games. But I've always had one question: what if the game isn't going well for him? What if things get ugly, if you have to fight for the ball, if everyone is looking at you? At Ajax, that happens every week. You have to perform every week.
SPORT1: Do you still stand by the "20%" statement?
Van der Vaart: (laughs) Ask me again after the season. Maybe I'll have to apologize then. That would be good too.
SPORT1: Brandt is 30, Ter Stegen is 34. For decades, Ajax has been known for developing future stars. Is the club now buying yesterday's stars?
Van der Vaart: No. Especially a young team needs experience. At Ajax, you can't put 11 young players on the field and say let's see what happens. You have to win championships. Ter Stegen has experienced everything at Barcelona. Brandt has played for Dortmund, in the Bundesliga and the Champions League. Such players can help young players a lot.
SPORT1: PSV coach Bos recently jokingly said that he couldn't sleep after seeing Ajax's signings. Should the PSV coach really be worried, or does Ajax still have to prove that big names can create a strong team?
Van der Vaart: (laughs) Peter is certainly still sleeping well. He knows football too well to be nervous in August. But of course he sees what Ajax is doing. I think it's great that the competition is back. Ajax against PSV must be a big clash. If Peter really sleeps a little worse, it means we in Amsterdam have done at least something right.
SPORT1: So, let's get straight to the conclusion: Is Ajax now a title favorite?
Van der Vaart: For me, yes.
SPORT1: Who will win the title?
Van der Vaart: Ajax.
SPORT1: No hesitation?
Van der Vaart: I am Rafael van der Vaart. What else can I say? (laughs)
SPORT1: Then we have to talk about someone you had a small disagreement with during the World Cup: Klopp. You criticized Van Dijk and compared his mobility to a Boeing 747. Klopp didn't find that funny at all.
Van der Vaart: Apparently not. (laughs) But that's okay. Klopp knows Van Dijk very well, and they achieved great success together at Liverpool. I stand by my opinion. I'm evaluating current performance. But Klopp, of course, also has the right to speak up for Van Dijk. I'm a commentator, and I have to say what I see. If I had to consider every time whether a former coach or player would be angry with me, I wouldn't be able to do my job.
SPORT1: Klopp's comeback was also quite harsh, basically meaning: "If Rafael van der Vaart ever says something positive about a player, then maybe I'll take him seriously again." This questioned your professionalism as a TV commentator. Are you really not bothered at all?
Van der Vaart: Not bothered. Why should I be? Klopp can have his opinion, and I have mine. Maybe he doesn't watch Dutch TV every month, so he doesn't know that I actually say good things too. (laughs) But I like people who dare to express their opinions. Klopp does that, and I do too. Sometimes that leads to arguments.
SPORT1: If Klopp were sitting in front of you today and said: "Rafael, you were unfair to Van Dijk at that World Cup." How would you respond?
Van der Vaart: I would say I have a different opinion. I criticize Van Dijk not because I don't like him. On the contrary, I think he is one of the best defenders in Dutch history. But precisely because of that, I am entitled to say that I expect more from him. Klopp has his way of looking at Van Dijk, and I have mine. We don't have to agree either.
SPORT1: After Klopp's criticism, you went even further. Is there a rift between you two?
Van der Vaart: Not from my side at all. I know Klopp and I respect him. He is a great coach and a man of great character. But just because I like or respect someone, do I immediately have to say you're right and I'm wrong? Football doesn't work that way.
SPORT1: But on the issue of Van Dijk, you later somewhat retracted. Was that Boeing really a bit too big?
Van der Vaart: Maybe a smaller plane would have been enough. (laughs) Seriously, of course there was some exaggeration. TV is meant to be a bit entertaining. But behind my criticism is a football judgment. Van Dijk has been one of the best defenders in the world for many years, and he is still a very good player. Precisely for this reason, I also have high expectations of him as captain of the Dutch team.
SPORT1: Looking back after some time, how do you evaluate his performance at that World Cup now?
Van der Vaart: He wasn't as bad as some people imagined after hearing my words. But in my opinion, he also wasn't the Van Dijk this team needed. For a captain, the responsibility is not just to avoid making mistakes. He also has to lead the team, convey a message: follow me, we can win this game. I wish he could have done more.
SPORT1: So, can we interpret your statement today as a small concession, acknowledging that Klopp had at least some point?
Van der Vaart: No. (laughs) That would be too simple. Klopp was defending Van Dijk, and I was evaluating his performance. These two things can exist simultaneously. Maybe my words were strong, but that doesn't mean my core criticism was wrong.
SPORT1: Klopp says you always talk about players too negatively. You compared Van Dijk to a Boeing. Which of you went too far?
Van der Vaart: Maybe a bit of both of us. (laughs) I'm not perfect either. Sometimes you're sitting in the studio, emotions get the better of you, and you say things that are a bit harsher than you would the next morning. But I'd rather be a commentator with an opinion than someone who talks for 90 minutes and in the end, no one knows what he really thinks.
SPORT1: Now this story has a very nice twist: it is Klopp who is coming to rescue German football. As a Dutchman, do you have to admit: this is indeed a very good decision?
Van der Vaart: Yes. Germany has found the most suitable person. Klopp is a perfect fit for the German team. After this World Cup, this team needs energy, confidence, and someone who can reignite people's enthusiasm. Not many people are better suited for this than Klopp.
SPORT1: And it's you who is now praising Klopp so highly.
Van der Vaart: (laughs) Now Klopp can take me seriously again.
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