Xavi takes over Netherlands as Dutch appoint first foreign coach in 48 years
Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez has been appointed as the new head coach of the Netherlands. The managerial change comes on the back of the Netherlands’ debacle in the FIFA World Cup 2026, where the team were knocked out in the Round of 32 by Morocco.
The Dutch football federation has opted to completely change its style of play, moving away from the defensive resilience of Koeman to a more possession-based, attacking style under Xavi.
The 46-year-old replaces Ronald Koeman, who vacated the position after the World Cup exit, and will take charge of a national team for the first time in his managerial career. Xavi has been out of work since leaving Barcelona in 2024 after three seasons in charge of the Catalan giants. He has now been handed a contract through the 2030 World Cup.
Xavi’s first assignment with the Netherlands will come against Germany in the Nations League on September 24.
His appointment marks a significant shift for the Dutch side, who have traditionally been associated with coaches from their own country. Xavi becomes the Netherlands’ first foreign head coach since Austria’s Ernst Happel led the team at the 1978 World Cup.
WHY NETHERLANDS TURNED TO XAVI
Xavi arrives with a coaching philosophy heavily influenced by the positional-play principles he learned during his remarkable playing career at Barcelona.
Regarded as one of the greatest midfielders in football history, Xavi was the heartbeat of Barcelona and Spain’s possession-heavy style. After joining Barcelona’s La Masia academy at the age of 11, he went on to make 767 senior appearances for the club and won 25 major honours, including eight La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies.
His influence was even greater with Spain, where he won 133 caps and became a central figure in one of the most successful international teams in football history.
Xavi helped Spain win Euro 2008, where he was named Player of the Tournament, before playing a key role in their 2010 World Cup triumph and Euro 2012 title.
XAVI’S CAREER AS MANAGER
Xavi carried those principles into management after ending his playing career in Qatar.
He began his coaching career with Al-Sadd in 2019 and quickly established himself as a coach committed to possession, attacking football and tactical structure. During his two years at the club, he won seven trophies, including the 2020-21 league title, which Al-Sadd secured unbeaten.
His teams were built around positional play, territorial control and aggressive counter-pressing, with Xavi using flexible formations including variations of a 3-4-3 and 4-2-3-1.
Barcelona came calling in 2021, bringing Xavi back to the club where he had spent the bulk of his playing career. He took over at a difficult time for the club, which was dealing with significant financial problems, but managed to restore Barcelona to the top of Spanish football.
Xavi guided Barcelona to the 2022-23 La Liga title and Supercopa de Espana. He also placed considerable faith in the club’s young players, helping integrate academy graduates and emerging talents including Pedri, Gavi and Lamine Yamal into the first team.
He left Barcelona in 2024 and has remained away from management since.
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