The Netherlands have appointed Xavi Hernández as their new head coach on a four-year contract that will run through the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The 46 year old returns to management after leaving Barcelona in 2024 and taking a two-year break from coaching. He succeeds Ronald Koeman, who resigned following the Netherlands’ disappointing World Cup campaign.
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The former Barcelona midfielder will lead the Dutch through the 2028 European Championship and 2030 World Cup as they seek to restore their status among Europe’s elite.
Xavi said he was honoured to take charge of a national team whose football philosophy has influenced his career. He highlighted the Dutch tradition of attacking, possession-based football, citing figures such as Johan Cruyff, Rinus Michels and Louis van Gaal as major influences.
The appointment also marks a reunion with Koeman, whom Xavi replaced as Barcelona coach in 2022. He guided the Catalan giants to the LaLiga title in 2022-23 and the Spanish Super Cup in 2023.
Xavi began his managerial career at Al Sadd in Qatar, winning seven trophies before moving to Barcelona. As a player, he won the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2008 and 2012 with Spain.
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