Chavhi appointed coach of the Netherlands national team, succeeding Koeman

Former Spanish international midfielder Xavi Hernandez has been appointed head coach of the Netherlands national football team, succeeding Ronald Koeman, who resigned after the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, according to an announcement by the Royal Dutch Football Association.

The 46-year-old manager, who led Barcelona to win the Spanish league title in 2023, signed a contract extending until the 2030 World Cup, which will be hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, along with some matches in Latin America. Xavi’s contract also covers the Netherlands’ campaign in the UEFA Euro 2028 tournament.

The “maestro” of midfield, who played for Barcelona and won the 2010 World Cup with Spain, has not held any coaching position since leaving Camp Nou in 2024.

Xavi said: “As someone who was trained in Barcelona’s academy, deeply influenced by Johan Cruyff, Rinus Michels, and others, I feel a special connection to Dutch football.”

He added: “It can be said that I am a son of Dutch football. Other great coaches, especially Louis van Gaal, under whose guidance I played my first match for Barcelona, and Frank Rijkaard, played a crucial role in shaping my identity as both a player and a coach.”

Xavi’s first match in charge will be in the UEFA Nations League against Germany at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam on September 24.

Xavi becomes the first foreign manager of the Netherlands national team since Austrian Ernst Happel, who reached the 1978 World Cup final before losing to Argentina.

Xavi further stated: “The Netherlands has a rich football culture and a clear vision that I deeply admire: attacking football based on possession, creativity, passion, and belief in the game.”