Xavi takes charge of the Netherlands national team

Former Spain and "Barcelona" player, and now football coach, Xavi Hernández has taken charge of the Netherlands national team. This was reported by the Royal Netherlands Football Association, UNN reports. 

"Xavi Hernández has become the new head coach of the Netherlands national team. The 46-year-old Spaniard will replace Ronald Koeman in this position. Xavi has agreed a contract with the KNVB that will run until the 2030 World Cup," the statement reads. 

Xavi said that it was a tremendous honor for him to become the head coach of the Netherlands national team.

"As someone who was educated at the "Barcelona" academy under the strong influence, in particular, of Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, I feel a special connection with Dutch football. You could say that I am, in a sense, a son of Dutch football. Other outstanding coaches, above all Louis van Gaal, under whom I made my debut for "Barcelona," and Frank Rijkaard, also played an important role in my development as a player and coach," Xavi said. 

Additional information

After ending his football career, Xavi Hernández took charge of Qatar's "Al-Sadd," with whom he won the Qatar Stars League, the Emir of Qatar Cup, the Qatar Crown Prince Cup, the Sheikh Jassim Cup and the Qatar Stars Cup. 

In November 2021, he took charge of Catalan side "Barcelona," where he spent three years and won the Spanish Championship and the Spanish Cup during that time. He has remained without a job since 2024. 

Interestingly, in 2010 Xavi, together with the Spain national team, won the World Cup, defeating none other than the Netherlands national team in the final. 

From 2023 to 2026, the Netherlands national team was managed by Ronald Koeman, under whom the "Oranje" managed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup but were already eliminated in the round of 32 by Morocco.