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The Dutch Football Association confirmed the hiring of the former Spain international, who will also oversee the side at UEFA Euro 2028 as part of a four-year agreement. Xavi previously managed Barcelona to the 2022-23 La Liga championship and spent time coaching Al Sadd in Qatar, where he claimed seven trophies in under three years. His appointment marks a new chapter for Dutch football as it seeks to rebound from a disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign.
Ronald Koeman resigned as national team coach in June 2026 after the Netherlands fell to Morocco on penalties in the round of 32. The former Barcelona defender had been in his second stint leading the Oranje. Koeman cited both the tournament exit and personal reasons in his departure, according to multiple accounts.
Xavi enjoyed a decorated playing career as a midfielder, helping Spain secure the 2010 World Cup and consecutive European titles in 2008 and 2012. He made the bulk of his club appearances for Barcelona, contributing to numerous domestic and continental successes before transitioning to management. The wealth of experience is anticipated to shape his tactical philosophy with the Netherlands.
During his time at Barcelona from 2021 to 2024, Xavi oversaw 143 matches with a win rate of more than 60 percent, figures from Transfermarkt show. He added the Spanish Super Cup to the La Liga crown in his first full season at the helm. The coach departed the club in 2024 prior to assuming the international post.
The decision designates Xavi as the first foreign-born manager of the Dutch national side since 1978. Traditional preferences for domestic coaches have given way to this selection amid calls for fresh ideas. The KNVB expressed confidence in his ability to elevate the team’s performance on the international stage.
Xavi’s contract extends through the 2030 World Cup, set to be staged in Spain, Portugal and Morocco with some games in Latin America, the Dutch Football Association noted. This alignment with a tournament partially hosted in his home country could offer strategic benefits. Preparations under the new coach are expected to begin ahead of the team’s next competitive fixtures.
