Netherlands appoints Barcelona icon Xavi Hernández as head coach

Xavi Hernández is now the head coach of the Netherlands national football team. The KNVB, Dutch football’s governing body, officially confirmed the appointment on August 12, 2026, handing the 46-year-old a long-term contract that runs through the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Why the change happened

Ronald Koeman resigned from the position on June 30, 2026, after the Netherlands crashed out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the round of 32.

Xavi’s managerial career at Barcelona spanned from 2021 to 2024. During that stint, he navigated one of the most turbulent periods in the Catalan club’s modern history, dealing with financial constraints and a squad in transition.

What Xavi brings to the table

As a player, Xavi was the metronome of one of the greatest club sides and national teams ever assembled. His playing career at Barcelona produced a trophy haul that most managers would struggle to match from the touchline: multiple Champions League titles, La Liga titles, and a World Cup winner’s medal with Spain in 2010.

The length of his contract signals that the KNVB isn’t looking for a quick fix. A deal through the 2030 World Cup gives Xavi roughly four years to build something, with the 2028 European Championship in the UK and Ireland serving as the first major test of his project.

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