Xavi Hernández appointed Netherlands head coach on contract through 2030 World Cup

Appointment announced

The Dutch football federation (KNVB) announced on August 12 that Xavi Hernández has been appointed head coach of the Netherlands on a contract running through the 2030 World Cup. The 46-year-old Spaniard replaces Ronald Koeman, who stepped down after the Netherlands were eliminated by Morocco on penalties in the round of 32 at this summer's World Cup, held in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Koeman had returned for a second spell in 2023, having previously managed the national team from 2018 to 2020, and led the side to the Euro 2024 semi-finals.

Xavi will be the Netherlands' first foreign coach since Austria's Ernst Happel led the team at the 1978 World Cup. The appointment marks his first return to management since leaving Barcelona in 2024 and his first job in charge of a national team. He is scheduled to be presented publicly on August 25.

Xavi's connection to Dutch football

In a statement released by the KNVB, Xavi described the appointment as a tremendous honour and pointed to his footballing roots as a link to the Dutch game.

As someone who received his training at the FC Barcelona 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 a bit of a son of Dutch football.

He added that the Netherlands has a rich football culture and a clear vision of attacking, possession-based football with creativity, passion and conviction, and that he prefers to win in a way that reflects those characteristics.

Coaching and playing career

Xavi began his managerial career with Qatari side Al-Sadd, where he had played for four seasons before retiring. He coached the club from 2019 to 2021 before moving to Barcelona in November 2021, also succeeding Koeman at the Catalan club. He guided Barça to the La Liga title in 2023 and was dismissed in 2024.

As a player, Xavi spent 17 seasons at Barcelona from 1998 to 2015, making more than 750 official appearances and winning eight league titles, four Champions League trophies and two FIFA Club World Cups. With Spain, he earned 133 caps and won the 2010 World Cup as well as the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.

KNVB endorsement and the Slot alternative

KNVB director of football Nigel de Jong said Xavi had been shaped by years of working with top coaches whose football vision aligns with the Dutch national team's desired style of initiative, dominant and attractive play, combined with the flexibility modern elite football demands. Marianne van Leeuwen, director of professional Dutch football, said the federation was bringing in someone who, as both player and coach, knows the absolute elite of international football.

Before settling on Xavi, the KNVB had sounded out former Liverpool coach Arne Slot, who managed the English club between 2024 and 2026. Slot withdrew from the process, telling Voetbal International that he prefers daily work on the training pitch with club players, something not possible in the same way with a national team.

At this stage in my career, I prefer to see myself on the training pitch with my players every day, something that is simply not possible in the same way with a national team.

First fixtures

Xavi's first match in charge will be the Nations League home fixture against Germany on September 24, which also serves as Jürgen Klopp's debut as Germany coach. The Netherlands then face Serbia on September 27, also in the Nations League. The contract runs through the 2030 World Cup, with Euro 2028 also falling within Xavi's tenure.