Xavi Hernandez has been appointed as the new head coach of the Netherlands, the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) announced Wednesday. The 46-year-old Spaniard has signed a contract to manage the team through the 2030 World Cup.
Xavi's appointment follows the departure of Ronald Koeman, who stepped down after the Netherlands' exit from the recent World Cup. Roberto Martinez was also reportedly considered for the role, while Arne Slot withdrew his candidacy, prioritizing his club commitments.
The former Barcelona boss expressed his honor at taking the position. "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," Xavi stated. "You could say that I am a bit of a son of Dutch football."
This marks Xavi's first management role since leaving Barcelona in 2024. He managed the Catalan club from November 2021, succeeding Koeman. During his tenure, he guided Barcelona to the LaLiga title in 2023.
"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," Xavi 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."
Nigel de Jong, KNVB director of football, cited Xavi's coaching philosophy and connection with players as key factors. "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," De Jong said. "Xavi believes in those basic principles, has embraced that vision, and made it his own."
Xavi, a World Cup winner as a player with Spain in 2010, also won the European Championship in 2008 and 2012. He began his managerial career with Qatari club Al Sadd before moving to Barcelona.