Xavi has been named the new head coach of the Netherlands national team on a four year contract.
The 46 year old returns to management for the first time since leaving Barcelona in the summer of 2024. His deal will keep him in charge of the Netherlands until the 2030 World Cup.
The Royal Dutch Football Association confirmed his appointment on August 12.
Xavi also becomes the first foreign coach to lead the Netherlands since Ernst Happel in 1977 and 1978.
The former Barcelona midfielder said taking charge of the Dutch national team was a huge honour. He also spoke about his strong connection with Dutch football.
“I consider it a tremendous honour to become head coach of the Dutch national team,” Xavi said.
Xavi came through Barcelona’s famous academy. He said Dutch football legends Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels had a major influence on his football education.
“You could say that I am a bit of a son of Dutch football,” he said.
Xavi also highlighted the influence of Louis van Gaal and Frank Rijkaard. Van Gaal gave him his Barcelona debut, while Rijkaard later coached him at the Spanish club.
The new Netherlands coach said his football ideas also fit well with the country’s traditional style.
“The Netherlands has a rich football culture and a clear vision that also appeals to me enormously: attacking football, based on possession, with creativity, passion, and conviction,” he said.
Xavi made it clear that winning will remain his main target. However, he also wants his team to play football that supporters can enjoy.
“Of course, the most important goal is and always will be to win, but I prefer to do so in a way that reflects those characteristics and that people can enjoy,” he said.
Xavi started his coaching career with Al Sadd in Qatar in 2019. He spent two years there and won six trophies.
He returned to Barcelona as head coach in 2021. Xavi managed the Spanish giants for two and a half seasons. He took charge of 143 matches and won two major trophies.
Barcelona won La Liga under Xavi in 2023. They also lifted the Spanish Super Cup that season.
He left the club in 2024 and had remained out of management since then. Xavi replaces Ronald Koeman as Netherlands coach.
Koeman stepped down this summer after the Netherlands suffered a round of 32 exit against Morocco at the World Cup. His departure ended his second spell with the national team.
He had previously managed the Netherlands between 2018 and 2020. Former Liverpool coach Arne Slot was also linked with the job. Slot confirmed that there had been contact over the position.
However, he said discussions never reached the point of talking about salary or the length of a possible contract.
The Netherlands have now chosen Xavi to lead the team into their next chapter. The Spaniard will have four years to build his side, with the 2030 World Cup set to be the major target of his spell in charge.
