OFFICIAL: Xavi appointed as head coach of a top European national team

Xavi Hernandez officially becomes the head coach of the Netherlands with a contract until 2030, ushering in a new era for the Dutch team as they aim to conquer major trophies.

LThe Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) officially appoints Xavi Hernandez as head coach of the national team, replacing Ronald Koeman and signing a long-term deal until 2030. Xavi returns to coaching after parting ways with Barcelona in 2024. The Spanish tactician is expected to bring a fresh dynamic to Oranje, targeting EURO 2028 and the 2030 World Cup.

Xavi's contract runs until 2030, meaning he will lead the Netherlands through the next two major tournaments. Notably, he becomes the first foreign coach of Oranje since Ernst Happel, who guided the Dutch to the 1978 World Cup final.

The arrival of Xavi is seen as a groundbreaking choice, as the 46-year-old manager has a special bond with Dutch football. A product of Barcelona's academy, he was deeply influenced by Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, key figures in the development of Total Football philosophy.

Xavi shared: “I feel extremely honored to become the head coach of the Netherlands national team. As someone trained at Barcelona and influenced by Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, I feel a special connection to Dutch football.”

The former Barcelona midfielder also wants Oranje to adopt an active, identity-driven style of play: “The most important goal remains winning, but I want the team to win in a way that reflects the essence of Dutch football and brings emotion to the fans.” In his coaching career, Xavi previously managed Al-Sadd before returning to Barcelona. At Camp Nou, he led the Catalan side to the La Liga title in the 2022/23 season.

The KNVB highly values Xavi's experience at the top level. Technical director Nigel de Jong believes that the arrival of the Spanish manager will open a new path for the team. Xavi is expected to make his debut for the Netherlands on September 24, when Oranje host Germany at the Johan Cruyff Arena in the Nations League. This will mark the beginning of an ambitious project lasting until 2030.