Xavi named Netherlands head coach, first foreign manager in 48 years

Xavi Hernandez was appointed head coach of the Netherlands national team on August 13, 2026, following the nation's elimination from the FIFA World Cup 2026. His appointment makes him the first foreign coach to lead the Dutch side in 48 years.

The Dutch federation moved to replace Ronald Koeman after the Netherlands were knocked out in the World Cup Round of 32 by Morocco and announced a shift from Koeman's defensive approach to a more possession-based, attacking style under Xavi. The 46-year-old, who has been out of work since leaving Barcelona in 2024 after three seasons, will take charge of a national team for the first time in his managerial career and has been given a contract running through the 2030 World Cup cycle.

Xavi's playing résumé includes joining Barcelona's La Masia academy at age 11 and making 767 senior appearances for the club. He collected 25 major honours with Barcelona, among them eight La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies, and is described in the source as one of the greatest midfielders in football history.

At international level, Xavi won 133 caps for Spain and was central to the country's major tournament successes, helping Spain win Euro 2008 — where he was named Player of the Tournament — the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012. Those achievements are cited in the announcement of his appointment.

Xavi began his coaching career with Al-Sadd in 2019, where he won seven trophies during a two-year spell, including the 2020-21 league title which Al-Sadd secured unbeaten. His teams at Al-Sadd were built around positional play, territorial control and aggressive counter-pressing, and he employed flexible formations including variations of a 3-4-3 and a 4-2-3-1.

Barcelona reappointed Xavi in 2021, bringing him back to the club where he had spent the majority of his playing career; he guided the team to the 2022-23 La Liga title and the Supercopa de Espana. During his time at Barcelona he placed considerable faith in the club's young players, integrating academy graduates and emerging talents such as Pedri, Gavi and Lamine Yamal into the first team, and he left the role in 2024.

Xavi's first match in charge of the Netherlands will be against Germany in the Nations League on September 24.