Netherlands name Xavi as first foreign coach since 1978

The Netherlands announced Wednesday they have appointed Xavi Hernandez as head coach of the men's national team on a four-year contract through the 2030 World Cup, marking the Spaniard's return to management after two years away from the game.espn+1

The 46-year-old replaces Ronald Koeman, who resigned following the Dutch team's elimination by Morocco on penalties in the round of 32 at this summer's World Cup in North America. Xavi becomes the first foreign-born coach of the Netherlands since Austria's Ernst Happel led the team at the 1978 World Cup.reuters+1

A "Son of Dutch Football"

"I consider it a tremendous honour to become head coach of the Dutch national team," Xavi said in a statement released by the Dutch Football Association (KNVB). "As someone who received his training at Barça's academy, with strong influences from Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, among others, I feel a special connection to Dutch football. You could say that I am a bit of a son of Dutch football."sports.yahoo+1

The appointment is the second time Xavi has replaced Koeman, having taken over from the Dutchman at Barcelona in November 2021. At Barça, he led the club to the LaLiga title in 2022-23 and the Spanish Super Cup in 2023 before being replaced by Hansi Flick after a trophy-less 2023-24 season.espn+1

Vision and First Match

KNVB director of football Nigel de Jong, himself an opponent of Xavi's in the 2010 World Cup final, said the appointment reflected an alignment of footballing philosophy. "Xavi believes in those basic principles, has embraced that vision, and made it his own," De Jong said. "All of that, combined with his personality and the way he knows how to connect with players and get the best out of a group, makes him the right choice for the coming years."sfgate+1

Xavi's first match in charge will be against Germany in the Nations League on September 24.reuters