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Xavi has been appointed as the new coach of the Netherlands national football team, marking a significant moment for Dutch football and the former Barcelona playmaker. He has signed a four-year contract, guiding the team through to the 2030 World Cup.

The extensive search for a coach concluded with Xavi's appointment, filling the vacancy left by Ronald Koeman, who resigned after the Netherlands' elimination from the World Cup in June. Xavi, a World Cup winner with Spain as a player, returns to coaching after a stint at Barcelona, where he spent three seasons and won the La Liga title in 2023.

His arrival makes him the first foreign coach for the Dutch since 1978. The six-week wait for a decision drew criticism from Dutch media, but the football association faced rejections from other candidates before turning to Xavi. His coaching philosophy is deeply rooted in Barcelona's style, influenced by Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels' "Total Football."

"As someone who received his training at the 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. I consider it a tremendous honor to become the national coach of the Dutch national team."

Xavi's immediate tasks include preparing the team for the 2028 European Championship and the 2030 World Cup. He will also oversee four Nations League matches in the upcoming September-October international window.

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As someone who received his training at the 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. I consider it a tremendous honor to become the national coach of the Dutch national team.