Xavi appointed Netherlands coach until 2030 World Cup

Xavi Hernández, the former Spanish international midfielder, has been appointed as the new head coach of the Dutch national football team, the Royal Dutch Football Association announced Wednesday. He succeeds Ronald Koeman, who stepped down after the 2026 North American World Cup.

Xavi, 46, who led Barcelona to the Spanish league title in 2023, signed a contract that extends through the 2030 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with some matches in Latin America. His contract also covers the Netherlands' campaign in the 2028 European Championship.

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As someone who was trained at La Masia, deeply influenced by Johan Cruyff, Rinus Michels, and others, I feel a special connection to Dutch football.

Since leaving Barcelona in 2024, the "maestro" of Barcelona's midfield and a 2010 World Cup winner with Spain has not held a coaching position. "As someone who was trained at La Masia, deeply influenced by Johan Cruyff, Rinus Michels, and others, I feel a special connection to Dutch football," Xavi stated. "You could say I am a son of Dutch football. Other great coaches, especially Louis van Gaal, under whom I played my first match at Barcelona, and Frank Rijkaard, played an important role in shaping my personality as a player and coach."

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You could say I am a son of Dutch football. Other great coaches, especially Louis van Gaal, under whom I played my first match at Barcelona, and Frank Rijkaard, played an important role in shaping my personality as a player and coach.