JUST IN: Xavi Appointed As Netherlands Head Coach

Xavi Hernández has been appointed the new head coach of the Netherlands national team, beginning his first assignment in international management after building his coaching reputation with Al Sadd and Barcelona.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the agreement between Xavi and the Dutch Football Association was completed on Wednesday, with the former Barcelona manager signing his contract. Spanish newspaper AS also confirmed the appointment, reporting that Xavi has signed a deal that runs until 2030 and will replace Ronald Koeman.

The appointment represents a new chapter in the managerial career of the 46-year-old Spaniard, who began coaching at Al Sadd in Qatar in 2019 after ending his illustrious playing career. Xavi spent two and a half years with the club before returning to Barcelona in November 2021.

At Al Sadd, Xavi managed 102 matches, winning 67, drawing 17 and losing 18, giving him a 65.68 per cent win rate. During his time in Qatar, he won seven trophies, including the 2020/21 Qatar Stars League title, when Al Sadd completed the league season unbeaten.

His success at Al Sadd earned him the opportunity to take charge of Barcelona, where he replaced Ronald Koeman in November 2021. Xavi inherited a club going through a difficult period but gradually rebuilt the team around a younger generation of players while attempting to restore Barcelona’s possession-based style.

His most successful season at Camp Nou came in 2022/23, when he led Barcelona to their first La Liga title since 2019. Barcelona secured the championship with four matches still to play after beating Espanyol 4-2, while Xavi also guided the club to the Spanish Super Cup that season.

The La Liga triumph was particularly significant because Barcelona dominated the campaign defensively, conceding only 20 goals across the 38-match league season. Xavi’s side also produced a strong start to the campaign, following a goalless draw against Rayo Vallecano with seven consecutive league victories.

However, Xavi’s Barcelona tenure also contained difficult periods, particularly in Europe. Barcelona failed to progress from the Champions League group stage in his first two seasons and subsequently competed in the Europa League.

Across his Barcelona spell, Xavi managed 143 competitive matches, recording 91 wins, 23 draws and 29 defeats, according to football statistical records. His overall win rate was therefore above 60 per cent, although his final season ended without a major trophy and with Barcelona finishing second in La Liga.

Xavi left Barcelona in 2024 after two-and-a-half seasons in charge, ending a managerial spell that produced the La Liga title and Spanish Super Cup but also exposed the challenges of managing one of Europe’s biggest clubs.