Xavi Hernández appointed Netherlands coach, ending 50-year tradition

The Netherlands has appointed Spanish coach Xavi Hernández as the new manager of its national football team, breaking a tradition of nearly half a century.

Hernández, 46, who was part of the Spanish team that defeated the Netherlands in the 2010 World Cup final, takes over after Ronald Koeman resigned following the team's exit from the 2026 World Cup.

The decision to hire a foreign coach is a departure from the norm, with the last non-Dutch manager being Austrian Ernst Happel, who led the team to the 1978 World Cup final. Since then, all coaches have been Dutch.

Hernández, who played under Johan Cruyff at Barcelona, stated he feels a special connection to Dutch football. "I could say I am a son of Dutch football," he commented, also mentioning the influence of coaches like Louis van Gaal and Frank Rijkaard on his development.

While acknowledging nuances in coaching styles, Hernández aims to imprint his own mark on the team. His philosophy emphasizes possession, attacking play, high pressing, and playing out from the back, aligning closely with the traditional Dutch football school. The Dutch football federation highlighted his intention to take initiative and develop a "dominant and attractive" style of play.

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I consider it a great honor to become the national coach of the Netherlands. As a product of Barcelona, with the strong influence of Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, among others, I feel a special connection to Dutch football. You could say I am a son of Dutch football. Other great coaches, especially Louis van Gaal, with whom I debuted at Barcelona, and Frank Rijkaard, also played an important role in my development as a player and coach.