Amsterdam, August 13: Spain legend Xavi Hernandez has been appointed as the new head coach of the Netherlands, becoming the first foreign-born manager to lead the national team in almost five decades.

The 46-year-old takes charge following Ronald Koeman’s departure after the World Cup and has agreed to remain in the role through the 2030 World Cup. Xavi has been without a coaching position since leaving Barcelona in May 2024.

The appointment adds an intriguing layer to Xavi’s history with Dutch football. He was part of the Spain side that defeated the Netherlands in the 2010 World Cup final, handing the Dutch their third loss in a World Cup title match.

Despite that history, Xavi said he has long felt connected to the Netherlands’ footballing philosophy. The ideas of Dutch legends Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels heavily influenced his development at Barcelona.

“You could say that I am a bit of a son of Dutch football,” Xavi said, while also highlighting the influence of Louis van Gaal and Frank Rijkaard on his development as a player and coach.

Xavi praised the Dutch emphasis on possession, attacking football and creativity, saying he wants those principles to be reflected in the national team’s style while maintaining the ultimate objective of winning matches.

The Dutch Football Federation’s director of elite football, Nigel de Jong, also backed the appointment. De Jong, who faced Xavi in the 2010 World Cup final, said the former Barcelona midfielder’s philosophy of controlling games while adapting to the demands of modern football made him an ideal candidate.

“Xavi believes in those basic principles, has embraced that vision, and made it his own,” De Jong said.

Xavi enjoyed a distinguished 17-year playing career at Barcelona before finishing his playing days with Al Sadd in Qatar. He subsequently managed the Qatari club from 2019 to 2021 before returning to Barcelona as head coach.

His next challenge will be to rebuild the Netherlands and guide them toward success on the international stage. The Dutch side most recently suffered an early World Cup exit, losing to Morocco on penalties in the Round of 32. Xavi is also the first foreign-born Netherlands coach since Austria’s Ernst Happel, who occupied the position during 1977 and 1978.