One of the greatest midfielders of all-time is now in charge of the Oranje.
The KNVB officially unveiled Xavi Hernandez as the Netherlands’ new manager on Wednesday. The World Cup winner has signed a four-year agreement.
Xavi succeeds Ronald Koeman, who resigned following the Oranje’s defeat to Morocco in this summer’s World Cup Round of 32.
It’s a return to management for the 46-year-old native of Terrassa, Spain. Xavi has not coached since he was let go by Barcelona at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 season, ending a 2.5-year stint at the club where he spent his entire 17-year European playing career. As manager of Barca, Xavi won the 2023 La Liga title.
Prior to being named manager at Camp Nou, Hernandez began his coaching career in Qatar with Al Sadd, the club with whom he spent the final four seasons of his playing career before his retirement in 2019. Xavi led Al Sadd to a league title in 2021.
As a player, Xavi was a key cog in legendary Barca sides. He formed a formidable midfield alongside the likes of Deco, Yaya Toure, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets. At Camp Nou, Xavi won eight league titles, three Copas del Rey and four Champions League crowns.
Internationally, Hernandez was capped 133 times by Spain, the fourth-most in program history. He was a member of the La Roja sides that won Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.
He joins an Oranje program desperate for success. The Netherlands’ only major trophy to date came at Euro 1988. The team has reached the World Cup Final on three occasions, losing all three times. Their most recent trip came at South Africa 2010 when the Oranje fell to Xavi and Spain.
Qualifiers for Euro 2028, set to be co-hosted by Ireland and the United Kingdom, begin in March. The group-stage draw is set for November.
