Trending 
Xavi Hernandez has been appointed head coach of the Netherlands, succeeding Ronald Koeman, the Dutch Football Association announced on Wednesday.
The former Barcelona midfielder has signed a four-year contract that will see him lead the Oranje through the Euro 2028 and 2030 World Cup campaigns.
Xavi, 46, has been without a coaching role since leaving Barcelona in 2024. He previously won the 2010 World Cup with Spain as a player.
The former midfielder said his football education at Barcelona, which was heavily influenced by Dutch football philosophies and figures such as Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, made the Netherlands role particularly meaningful to him.
He also credited coaches including Louis van Gaal and Frank Rijkaard with shaping his development as both a player and coach.
“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,” said the 46-year-old former midfielder.
“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.”
Xavi began his senior playing career at Barcelona and later managed the club before leaving in 2024.
