Top News

Xavi Hernandez has been appointed head coach of the Netherlands men’s national football team on a contract through the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The Spaniard becomes the Netherlands’ first foreign-born coach since Ernst Happel in 1978. Xavi, who previously coached Barcelona and Al-Sadd, said his strong links with Dutch football influenced his decision.

Zeist: Xavi Hernandez has been appointed as the new head coach of the Netherlands men’s national football team.

Xavi became Netherlands' first foreign coach in almost 50 years. The 46-year-old Spaniard, who succeeds Ronald Koeman, has signed a contract through to the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

After becoming the Netherlands’ first overseas-born coach since Austrian Ernst Happel vacated the reins in the 1978, he will look forward to working with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Micky van de Ven, Denzel Dumfries, Jurrien Timber, Frenkie de Jong and Ryan Gravenberch.

“It is a great honour to become head coach of the Netherlands national team. As someone who was developed at the FC Barcelona academy, with strong influences from, among others, Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, I feel a special connection to Dutch football. You could say I am, in a way, a son of Dutch football. Other great coaches, especially Louis van Gaal, under whom I made my debut at Barcelona, and Frank Rijkaard, have also played an important role in shaping me as both a player and as a coach," Xavi said on his appointment.