🇳🇱 Xavi returns to management in Netherlands head coach role | OneFootball

Former Barcelona icon and Spanish great Xavi Hernández continues his managerial journey after being officially named as the next head coach of the Netherlands.

Despite recent speculation linking Oranje to former Portugal, Belgium, and Everton boss Roberto Martínez, the Netherlands have instead turned to the 46-year-old as their next cycle begins after a disappointing 2026 World Cup.

The Netherlands, ousted from the summer showcase in North America in a Round of 32 shootout loss against Morocco, opted to avoid heading down a well-trodden path of former managers.

Xavi, who signed on the dotted line through the 2030 World Cup, brings considerable managerial experience with him after hanging up his boots in 2019.

Since then, the Terrassa native managed Al-Sadd immediately after retiring until 2021, before taking up his desired post at Barcelona until 2024, leading the club to La Liga and Supercopa success across the 2022/23 campaign.

His appointment to head up the Dutch national team continues a long tradition connecting the Netherlands, Spain, and Barcelona.

📸 JORGE GUERRERO - AFP or licensors