Xavi Hernández named Netherlands coach, first foreign-born boss since 1978
Xavi Hernández was appointed head coach of the Netherlands national team on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, becoming the first foreign-born manager of the side since 1978. He succeeds Ronald Koeman, who left his post after the World Cup.
The 46-year-old Xavi had been out of work since leaving his role as Barcelona coach in May 2024. He was a member of the Spain side that defeated the Netherlands in the 2010 World Cup final, a match that marked the Dutch team’s third defeat in a title match. The last foreign-born coach of the Netherlands was Ernst Happel, who managed the side in 1977-78.
Xavi said he felt a “special connection to Dutch football” after progressing through a Barcelona academy influenced by Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels. “You could say that I am a bit of a son of Dutch football,” he added. “Other great coaches, especially Louis van Gaal, under whom I made my debut at Barcelona, and Frank Rijkaard, also played an important role in shaping me as a player and coach.”
Nigel de Jong, director of elite football at the Dutch federation and an opponent of Xavi in the 2010 World Cup final, praised Xavi’s approach. He said Xavi’s vision of “dominant and attractive football, combined with the flexibility that modern elite football demands” would serve the team well. “Xavi believes in those basic principles, has embraced that vision, and made it his own,” De Jong said. “All of that, combined with his personality and the way he knows how to connect with players and get the best out of a group, makes him the right choice for the coming years.”
Xavi spent 17 years playing for Barcelona before finishing his playing career at Al Sadd. He went on to coach the Qatari club and then served as the national team coach in Qatar from 2019-21.
The Netherlands were eliminated from the World Cup in the Round of 32 after losing to Morocco in a penalty shootout.
Xavi has signed a deal through to the 2030 World Cup. The appointment was reported on August 13, 2026.