Xavi Hernandez has been appointed head coach of the Netherlands, ending the Dutch national team’s 48-year wait for a foreign manager.
The former Barcelona boss has signed a four-year contract that will take him through Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup, the Dutch football association confirmed.
The 46-year-old succeeds Ronald Koeman, who stepped down following the Netherlands’ disappointing exit from the 2026 World Cup.
The Dutch were eliminated by Morocco in the round of 32 after losing on penalties, prompting Koeman to resign after three years in his second spell in charge. He had previously guided the Netherlands to the semi-finals of Euro 2024.
Xavi’s appointment represents a significant departure from tradition for the Oranje. He becomes their first foreign head coach since Austrian Ernst Happel, who led the Netherlands to the 1978 World Cup final.
The Spaniard also takes charge of a national team for the first time in his managerial career.
Xavi has been out of management since leaving Barcelona in 2024. He took charge of the Catalan giants in November 2021 and led them to the La Liga title in the 2022-23 season before departing after three campaigns.
Despite his Spanish background, Xavi has long been associated with the footballing philosophy developed in the Netherlands and later embedded at Barcelona by Johan Cruyff.
Speaking following his appointment, Xavi described himself as “a son of Dutch football”, pointing to the influence the country’s coaches and footballing philosophy had on his career.
His connection with Dutch football stretches back to his playing days at Barcelona, where he worked under Louis van Gaal and Frank Rijkaard and played alongside several Netherlands internationals.
The appointment follows a lengthy search by the KNVB for Koeman’s successor.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot had been approached about taking the job but turned down the opportunity. Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was also among the candidates considered before the Dutch federation ultimately turned to Xavi.
Xavi now inherits a talented Netherlands squad but faces the task of rebuilding confidence following their premature World Cup elimination.
His first competitive test will arrive quickly. The Netherlands are scheduled to face Germany in the Nations League on September 24 before further matches against Serbia and Greece.
The longer-term targets are clear: Euro 2028 and, ultimately, a challenge for the 2030 World Cup.
