Overview
- Xavi Hernández was officially appointed by the KNVB on Wednesday, August 12, replacing Ronald Koeman after the Netherlands were eliminated in the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup.
- He signed a contract that runs to the 2030 FIFA World Cup and this will be his first job as a national-team head coach after leaving Barcelona in mid‑2024.
- Xavi’s first match in charge is confirmed for 24 September in the UEFA Nations League against Germany, giving him a tight window to meet early performance expectations.
- The KNVB and Xavi plan a blended coaching group that keeps a Dutch football perspective on staff, with reports saying Patrick Kluivert is expected to join the backroom team.
- The hire breaks a long-standing practice of Dutch-born selectors (the last foreign coach was Ernst Happel in 1974) and signals a multi-year rebuilding project focused on restoring style, player development and results ahead of Euro 2028 and World Cup 2030.