Xavi Hernandez has been appointed the new head coach of the Netherlands national team.

The 46-year-old Spanish manager signed a contract to lead the team through to the 2030 World Cup. He takes over from Ronald Koeman, who resigned following the Dutch team’s defeat to Morocco in the last 32 of this summer’s tournament.

As a player, Xavi won the 2010 World Cup with Spain and also claimed European Championships in 2008 and 2012. He successfully led FC Barcelona to the LaLiga title in 2023, after beginning his coaching career with Al Sadd in Qatar.

“I consider it a tremendous honour to become head coach of the Dutch national team,” he stated in a release from the Dutch Football Association (KNVB). “Having trained at the FC Barcelona academy, with strong influences from Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, I feel a special connection to Dutch football.”

“You could say that I am a bit of a son of Dutch football,” he added.

Xavi’s new role marks his first return to management since departing Barcelona in 2024, where he succeeded Koeman in November 2021 after making 767 appearances for the club.

“The Netherlands has a rich football culture and a clear vision that appeals to me enormously: attacking football based on possession, with creativity and passion,” he continued. “Winning is the primary objective, but I prefer doing so in a way that embodies those characteristics and brings joy to fans. There is significant potential to build upon this solid foundation.”

KNVB’s director of football, Nigel de Jong, described Xavi’s appointment as pivotal, noting: “He has been shaped by experiences with top coaches who share a football vision aligning with our ambitions for the national team: proactive, dominant football, along with the flexibility required in modern elite competition. Xavi embodies these values and excels in connecting with players, making him the ideal choice for the years ahead.”

Xavi Hernandez has been named the new head coach of the Netherlands.

The 46-year-old Spanish manager has signed a deal to lead the national side until the 2030 World Cup.

He takes over from Ronald Koeman, who resigned after the Dutch were defeated by Morocco in the last 32 of this summer’s tournament.

Advertisement

As a player, former Barcelona midfielder Xavi won the 2010 World Cup with Spain alongside the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.

He guided Barca to the LaLiga title in 2023, having previously started his coaching career with Qatari side Al Sadd.

“I consider it a tremendous honour to become head coach of the Dutch national team,” he said in a statement released by the Dutch Football Association (KNVB).

“As someone who received his training at the FC Barcelona academy, with strong influences from Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, among others, I feel a special connection to Dutch football.

“You could say that I am a bit of a son of Dutch football.”

Advertisement

Xavi’s appointment marks his first return to management since leaving Barcelona in 2024.

He took over the Catalan giants in November 2021, also succeeding Koeman, after making 767 appearances for the club.

“The Netherlands has a rich football culture and a clear vision that also appeals to me enormously: attacking football, based on possession, with creativity, passion, and conviction,” he continued.

“Of course, the most important goal is and always will be to win, but I prefer to do so in a way that reflects those characteristics and that people can enjoy.

“The potential for this is there, as well as a solid foundation to build upon.”

Advertisement

Explaining Xavi’s appointment, KNVB director of football Nigel de Jong said: “As a coach, he has been shaped by years of working with top coaches who espouse a football vision that aligns very well with the way we want to play with the Dutch national team: taking initiative, dominant and attractive football, combined with the flexibility that modern elite football demands.

“Xavi believes in those basic principles, has embraced that vision, and made it his own. All of that, combined with his personality and the way he knows how to connect with players and get the best out of a group, makes him the right choice for the coming years.”