Xavi Hernandez has been appointed head coach of the Netherlands, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, with the former Barcelona manager agreeing a long-term contract that runs through the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The appointment gives Xavi his first role in international management since beginning his coaching career. It also marks his return to football more than two years after he left Barcelona.
The 46-year-old had been without a club since departing the Catalan side in May 2024. During his time in charge, he guided Barcelona to the La Liga title in the 2022/23 season.
Xavi now takes over one of international football’s most historic teams as the Netherlands start a new chapter following Ronald Koeman’s departure. His appointment also creates an unusual link with the Dutchman, as Xavi has replaced Koeman as a manager for a second time.
The first change came at Barcelona in November 2021, when Xavi succeeded Koeman in the dugout. He will now take charge of the Netherlands after Koeman’s latest spell leading the national team came to an end.
Former Barcelona and Netherlands striker Patrick Kluivert is expected to join Xavi’s staff as an assistant. Kluivert and Xavi played together at Barcelona, and his presence would give the new head coach an experienced colleague with detailed knowledge of Dutch football.
For Xavi, the move represents a return to the international stage in a different capacity. As a player, he was a key member of Spain’s golden generation, winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup and two European Championships.
His transition into international management comes after a coaching career that began at club level and included his successful period with Barcelona. The Netherlands role will now see him attempt to establish a new era with a team that has long been regarded as one of the leading forces in world football.
The agreement is understood to commit Xavi to the Netherlands until the 2030 FIFA World Cup, giving him a lengthy period to shape the side and work towards the tournament. His first international managerial appointment also reunites him with a familiar figure in Kluivert, should the former striker join his coaching team as expected.
The move brings Xavi back into work after more than two years away from the bench, while also placing him at the helm of a national team preparing for life after Koeman.
