Former Barcelona manager Xavi has been appointed head coach of the Netherlands on a four-year contract, becoming the first non-Dutchman to lead the national side since Ernst Happel left the post in 1978.
The 46-year-old former Barcelona and Spain midfielder succeeds Ronald Koeman, who resigned after the Netherlands were beaten by Morocco in the last-32 stage of this summer’s World Cup.
Xavi will take charge of the Netherlands for the first time when they face Jurgen Klopp’s Germany in the Nations League on 24 September.
“I consider it a tremendous honour to become head coach of the Dutch national team,” Xavi said.
“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.”
Xavi’s appointment ends a period of more than four decades in which the Netherlands have been managed by Dutch coaches. Happel, an Austrian, was the last foreign manager to hold the role before stepping down in 1978.
The new Netherlands boss has emphasised the influence Dutch football has had on his development, both as a player and as a coach. He was developed at Barcelona’s academy and made his first-team debut under Louis van Gaal, while Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels were among the other figures whose ideas shaped his football education.
Former Liverpool head coach Arne Slot also confirmed that he held talks about the vacancy. However, Slot withdrew from the process because he wants his next position to be in club football.
Xavi brings extensive experience from both the international and club game. He won three international trophies with Spain and was part of the team that defeated the Netherlands in the 2010 World Cup final.
He retired from playing in 2019 and began his managerial career with Al-Sadd. In November 2021, he returned to Barcelona as head coach, guiding the club to the La Liga title during his first full season in charge.
Xavi left Barcelona in 2024, and the Netherlands role will be his first managerial appointment since stepping down from the Spanish club.
His first competitive challenge will come against Germany in September, when he begins a four-year contract intended to mark a new era for the Netherlands.
