The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) has appointed former FC Barcelona manager Xavi Hernández as the new head coach of the Netherlands men's national team, ending his two-year hiatus from management.
The 46-year-old Spanish coach has signed a contract that will run until the 2030 FIFA World Cup. He takes over from Ronald Koeman, who submitted his resignation after the Netherlands were eliminated by Morocco in the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup.
The appointment marks the second time Xavi has succeeded Koeman in a head coaching role, having previously taken over from the Dutchman at Barcelona in November 2021. Xavi had been without a club since leaving Barcelona in May 2024, a tenure during which he won one La Liga title and one Spanish Super Cup. Since his departure from the Catalan club, he had rejected several job offers while waiting for a project aligned with his ambitions.
Return to management and international debut
Leading the Dutch national team represents Xavi's first experience managing at international level. The manager from Terrassa inherits a high-caliber squad led by prominent players such as Frenkie de Jong, Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, and Xavi Simons.
In an official statement, the KNVB confirmed that Xavi had reached an agreement to lead the team through to the 2030 World Cup. The federation stated that the Spanish manager would lead a new era for one of the most recognized national teams in world football.
Potential coaching staff and future targets
According to reports, former Netherlands international striker Patrick Kluivert could join Xavi's backroom staff, although the federation has not yet finalized or confirmed the composition of the coaching team.
With Xavi's arrival, the Netherlands aims to initiate a new era to regain lost prominence and return to competing for major international trophies at both the European Championship and the World Cup. The KNVB is relying on the Spanish manager's style and tactical philosophy to restore the team to the elite level of international football.
