Xavi takes charge of Netherlands on four-year deal and targets Euro 2028
Xavi returns to management with Netherlands appointment
Xavi Hernández has ended more than two years away from competitive football by agreeing to become the new head coach of the Netherlands. The former Barcelona midfielder and manager will replace Ronald Koeman on the Oranje bench under a four-year contract.
The agreement was first reported by Fabrizio Romano, citing journalist Matteo Moretto and De Telegraaf. Their report stated: “Xavi has agreed to become the new Dutch national team head coach. The verbal agreement with the former Barça manager is in place.”
Xavi’s contract will take him through the 2028 European Championship and the 2030 World Cup. His first match in charge is scheduled to be a home fixture against Germany, coached by Jurgen Klopp, on September 24. The Netherlands will also face Serbia twice and Greece once during the upcoming Nations League period.
A long-standing connection with Dutch football
The appointment marks a historic moment for the Netherlands, with Xavi becoming the national team’s first foreign head coach since Ernst Happel’s tenure in the late 1970s. Xavi also has a personal connection to Dutch football, having made his Spain debut against the Netherlands in 2000 and helped Spain defeat the Oranje in the 2010 World Cup final.
His football education at Barcelona further deepened that relationship through the influence of Dutch icons Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels. “As someone who received his training at the Barcelona academy, with strong influences from Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, among others, I feel a special connection to Dutch football,” Xavi said.
“You could say that I am a bit of a son of Dutch football. I consider it a tremendous honour to become the national coach of the Dutch national team.”
Patrick Kluivert considered for coaching staff
Xavi is also keen to bring another former Barcelona hero, Patrick Kluivert, into his coaching staff. The new Netherlands boss rejected several opportunities to return to management after Barcelona dismissed him at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, but has now accepted the challenge of leading one of Europe’s most prominent national teams.