Spanish football legend Xavi Hernandez has been named the new head coach of the Netherlands national football team, nicknamed the Oranje. This appointment marks the first time in 48 years that a foreign manager will lead the Dutch squad.
The Royal Netherlands Football Association announced on Thursday that Xavi will take over from Ronald Koeman as the national team’s manager. His contract runs for four years, extending through the 2030 International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) World Cup.
Koeman’s tenure ended following the Netherlands’ elimination in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
In their search for a new manager, the Dutch federation settled on Xavi, a Spanish soccer icon.
The last time a foreign coach led the Netherlands national team was 48 years ago when Austrian Ernst Happel guided the team during the 1978 World Cup in Argentina.
As a player, Xavi was a pivotal midfielder for Spain’s La Roja, playing a crucial role in their 2010 FIFA World Cup triumph in South Africa. He was the embodiment of the tiki-taka style, renowned for his precise passing and vision.
After hanging up his boots, Xavi managed Al Sadd in Qatar before taking the helm at his former club, Barcelona, in 2021. He had been unattached since stepping down from the Catalan giants in May 2024.
As a manager, Xavi has maintained his playing philosophy, emphasizing ball possession and adhering to clear principles of positional play.
While speculation linked him to the vacant South Korean national team job, which is currently seeking an interim coach, Xavi ultimately chose to lead the Netherlands.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Xavi stated that it’s a tremendous honor to become the head coach of the Netherlands national team. He has a special connection to Dutch football, having been influenced by Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels during my time in Barcelona’s youth academy.