OFFICIAL: Xavi appointed Netherlands national team coach until 2030

Official news: Xavi officially appointed head coach of the Dutch national team, signed until 2030.

Official Announcement from the Dutch FA

Xavi Hernández has been appointed as the new head coach of the Dutch men's national football team. The 46-year-old Spanish coach replaces Ronald Koeman. Xavi has reached an agreement with the Royal Dutch Football Association, and the two parties will sign a contract until the 2030 World Cup.

Regarding this appointment, Xavi stated: "I am deeply honored to become the head coach of the Dutch national team. As someone who was trained in the Barcelona youth academy and deeply influenced by Johan Cruyff, Rinus Michels, and others, I have a special emotional connection to Dutch football. One could say I am a 'son' of Dutch football. Furthermore, several other great coaches, especially Louis van Gaal, my coach when I made my debut at Barcelona, and Frank Rijkaard, also played crucial roles in shaping my career as a player and coach."

Xavi continued: "The Netherlands has a profound football culture and a clear football philosophy that greatly attracts me: possession-based, creative, passionate, and attacking football with belief. Of course, winning is always and will always be the primary goal, but I hope we can win by demonstrating these qualities and delighting the fans. We have the potential to achieve this goal and a solid foundation to move forward. I very much look forward to taking on this challenge with the players, coaching staff, and all colleagues at the Dutch FA."

Nigel de Jong, Director of National Teams Football at the Dutch FA, said: "Every new cycle requires us to re-evaluate what our goals are, what we need, and which existing coach best fits these needs. As a player, Xavi experienced and won everything; his honors include not only a World Cup title but also multiple league titles and Champions League titles."

De Jong continued: "As a coach, he has worked for years with several top coaches who uphold football philosophies highly aligned with the playing style expected of our Dutch national team, which has shaped his coaching style: taking the initiative, playing dominant and attractive football, while also possessing the flexibility required for modern top-level football. Xavi firmly believes in these fundamental principles and has internalized and fully mastered them. All of this, coupled with his charismatic personality and his ability to connect with players and inspire the team to its maximum potential, makes him the best candidate for the coming years."

Director of Professional Football at the Dutch FAMariana Van Leeuwen stated: "Signing Xavi means we are bringing in someone who, as both a player and coach, deeply understands the highest level of international football. He knows what it takes to succeed in top-tier competitions and will bring this valuable experience to the Dutch national team, which fully aligns with our ambitions. Therefore, we are very pleased that he has chosen to accept this challenge."

Xavi Hernández's career

In an impressive playing career, Xavi Hernández played for Barcelona for 17 seasons, winning countless honors. In 2019, he began his coaching career at Al Sadd in Qatar (where he had also previously played). Under his leadership, the club won several domestic titles, and he continued to grow as a coach. In November 2021, Xavi returned to Barcelona as the first-team head coach. In the 2022/23 season, he led the team to win the Spanish Super Cup and their first La Liga title since the 2018/19 season.

As a player, Xavi is one of the most successful footballers and finest midfield maestros of the past few decades. He came through the Barcelona youth system and made his first-team debut in 1998. Throughout his career, Xavi was known for his extraordinary football intelligence, precise passing, and ability to control the tempo of the game. Ultimately, he made over 750 official appearances for Barcelona, helping the team win numerous honors, including 8 La Liga titles, 4 UEFA Champions League titles, and 2 FIFA Club World Cups. For the Spanish national team, he was the midfield lynchpin of one of the most successful national teams for many years. He won the European Championships in 2008 and 2012 with the team and lifted the World Cup in 2010.

Formation of the Coaching Staff

The specific members of the coaching staff will be further finalized in the coming weeks. Xavi stated: "Our plan is to assemble a coaching team that includes Dutch members. The Dutch understanding of football, players, and local culture is highly valuable. By combining our knowledge and experience, we will create the best conditions for the team to fully unleash our own and the entire player group's maximum potential in the future."

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