Spanish legend Xavi Hernández has been appointed as the new manager of the Netherlands men's team. The former Barcelona player and coach has signed a four-year deal till the 2030 World Cup as the head coach of the Dutch national team.
With this surprise signing, Xavi becomes the first foreign coach to take over as the Netherlands manager since 1978, when Austrian coach Ernst Happel signed off.
Xavi Hernández has officially replaced Dutch coach, Ronald Koeman as the manager of the Netherlands men's national team. Koeman, who also coached Barcelona like Xavi, resigned after his country's disappointing FIFA World Cup run this summer, that ended in the Round of 32 following a loss to Morocco.
The Spanish football star has expressed gratitude after he got the job. "I consider it a tremendous honour to become head coach of the Dutch national team. As someone who received his training at Barca's academy, with strong influences from Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, among others, I feel a special connection to Dutch football."
"You could say that I am partly a son of Dutch football. Other great coaches, especially Louis van Gaal, under whom I made my debut at Barca, and Frank Rijkaard, also played an important role in shaping me as a player and coach", the 46-year-old coach said.
With Spanish blood running in his veins and the philosophy of Dutch legend Johan Cruyff in his mind, Xavi will hope to bring back possession-based football to the Dutch team that had largely relied on defensive play under Koeman.
Having trained in Barcelona's La Masia academy since he was 11, Xavi is one of the greatest midfielders football has ever seen. Both in Barcelona and in Spain, he controlled the midfield and flourished in attacking football. With him as head coach, Netherlands will certainly see a change in style and greater reliance on the midfield and attack.
In 2010, Xavi played a crucial role in Spain's debut World Cup triumph, a trophy they lifted after defeating Netherlands in the final. In the upcoming 2030 World Cup, he is expected to represent the Dutch as coach.
Xavi's first assignment as the Netherlands coach is on September 24, 2026 where they will face Germany, managed by Jurgen Klopp, in the Nations League.
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