Xavi Hernandez Appointed Netherlands Coach Through 2030 World Cup

Xavi Hernandez, the former Barcelona coach, has been appointed as the new head coach of the Netherlands national football team. His contract runs for four years, extending through the 2030 World Cup, marking his return to management after leaving the Spanish club in 2024.

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I consider it a tremendous honor to become head coach of the Dutch national team.

The 46-year-old Spaniard takes over from Ronald Koeman, who departed following the Netherlands' elimination in the 2026 World Cup. Xavi becomes the first foreign-born head coach for the Dutch team since Ernst Happel in the late 1970s.

"I consider it a tremendous honor to become head coach of the Dutch national team," Xavi stated in a release from the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB). He highlighted a unique connection to Dutch football, stemming from his development at Barcelona's academy under the influence of Dutch football philosophies, particularly those of Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels. "You could say that I am a bit of a son of Dutch football," he added.

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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, who last managed Barcelona from November 2021 until May 2024, leading them to a La Liga title in 2023, also credited former Barcelona coaches Louis van Gaal and Frank Rijkaard for their influence. His playing career saw him make 767 appearances for Barcelona and was a key part of Spain's victorious 2010 World Cup squad, which notably defeated the Netherlands in the final.

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You could say that I am a bit of a son of Dutch football.

He expressed admiration for the Netherlands' footballing identity, emphasizing possession-based, attacking play with creativity and passion. "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," Xavi said. Nigel de Jong, the Dutch federation's director of elite football, believes Xavi's approach aligns with modern international soccer demands.

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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.