Xavi named first foreign Netherlands coach in 48 years

Xavi Hernandez has been appointed as the successor to Ronald Koeman as head coach of the Netherlands national team, becoming their first foreign boss in 48 years.

The country’s football association announced Xavi’s appointment in a statement on Wednesday.

The Barcelona great, who won the 2010 World Cup with Spain as a player, has not held a head coaching job since leaving the Camp Nou in 2024.

Xavi signed a four-year deal, which means he will lead the Oranje’s Euro 2028 and 2030 World Cup campaigns.

The 46-year-old former midfielder said: “As someone who received his training at the 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.

“Other great coaches, especially Louis van Gaal, under whom I made my debut at Barcelona, and Frank Rijkaard, also played an important role in shaping me as a player and coach.”

Koeman stepped down after his second spell in charge of the Dutch ended with a last-32 defeat on penalties against Morocco.

Ex-Liverpool manager Arne Slot reportedly held initial talks with the Dutch association, but preferred to stay in club football.

Xavi’s first match at the helm will be a Nations League clash with rivals Germany at the Johann Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam on September 24.

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He is the Netherlands’ first foreign boss since Austrian Ernst Happel, whose side reached the 1978 World Cup final before losing to Argentina.

Xavi, whose first coaching role was with Qatari club Al-Sadd, won the 2023 LaLiga title with Barcelona but was sacked at the end of the following season and replaced by Hansi Flick.

He won four Champions Leagues with the Catalan giants during an illustrious playing career, and sits second on their all-time list of most appearances, behind only Lionel Messi.

The Netherlands are still attempting to shed their nearly men tag in international football.

They have lost three World Cup finals, the most of any nation in history to have never lifted the trophy.

A Euro 1988 triumph remains the Netherlands’ only major title, losing four Euros semi-finals, including two years ago to England, since.