Xavi takes charge of the Netherlands

Xavi Hernández has been appointed the new head coach of the Netherlands on a four-year contract that will run through the 2030 World Cup, the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) announced on August 12, 2026.

The appointment marks Xavi’s return to management since he left Barcelona in the summer of 2024. He becomes the Netherlands’ first foreign head coach since Ernst Happel held the position in 1977-78.

A Dutch football connection

Xavi said he felt a strong connection to the Netherlands through Barcelona’s football tradition and the influence of Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels.

“I consider it a tremendous honour to become head coach of the Dutch national team,” Xavi said. “You could say that I am a bit of a son of Dutch football.”

He also cited Louis van Gaal and Frank Rijkaard as important influences on his development, and outlined an ambition to build a team based on possession, creativity and attacking football.

“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,” he said.

Replacing Ronald Koeman

Xavi succeeds Ronald Koeman, who left the role after the Netherlands’ World Cup round-of-32 defeat by Morocco. The departure ended Koeman’s second spell in charge of the national team.

Reports had previously identified Xavi as one of the leading candidates for the vacancy, alongside Roberto Martínez. Xavi had held talks with KNVB representatives before the federation confirmed his appointment. Former Liverpool head coach Arne Slot also confirmed contact over the job, but said discussions never reached the stage of negotiating salary or contract length.

Record at Barcelona and Al-Sadd

Xavi began his managerial career with Al-Sadd in 2019, winning six trophies during a two-year spell in Qatar. He then spent two and a half seasons coaching Barcelona, taking charge of 143 matches and winning La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup in 2023.

His first task with the Netherlands will be to shape a new era through the 2030 World Cup, with the KNVB presenting him as the coach charged with turning the country’s attacking football tradition into sustained international success.