Xavi Hernández has agreed to become the new head coach of the Netherlands national team, marking his return to management after leaving Barcelona in 2024.
The agreement has been finalised, with the Spanish coach signing a contract that will keep him in charge through the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The appointment represents a major new chapter for Xavi, who will take charge of a national team for the first time in his managerial career.
He replaces Ronald Koeman, who departed following the Netherlands’ disappointing elimination from the 2026 World Cup. Xavi arrives with considerable experience from his spells at Al Sadd and Barcelona.
At Barcelona, he guided the club to the 2022/23 La Liga title and the Spanish Super Cup before leaving the Camp Nou in 2024. Xavi’s appointment makes him the first foreign head coach of the Netherlands since Austrian Ernst Happel in 1978. His first competitive test is expected to come in the Nations League, with the Netherlands scheduled to face Germany on September 24.
There is also a familiar name potentially set to join Xavi’s coaching staff. According to Fabrizio Romano, Xavi wants former Netherlands and Barcelona striker Patrick Kluivert as part of his backroom team.