New Delhi, August 13: Xavi Hernandez has been appointed as the new head coach of the Netherlands men’s football team. The Spanish coach is the first foreign manager for the team in 48 years. His contract extends until the FIFA World Cup 2030. Xavi succeeds Ronald Koeman in this prestigious role.
Upon his appointment, Xavi expressed, “Becoming the head coach of the Netherlands national team is a great honor for me. Having developed at the FC Barcelona academy and being influenced by legends like Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, I feel a special connection to Dutch football. You could say I am, in a way, a son of Dutch football. Other great coaches, especially Louis van Gaal, under whose leadership I debuted at Barcelona, and Frank Rijkaard, have played crucial roles in shaping me as both a player and a coach.”
Xavi emphasized the importance of creating a coaching staff that includes Dutch input. “The specific knowledge of the game, players, and culture is invaluable. By combining our insights and experiences, we will create the best conditions to maximize benefits for ourselves and the squad.”
Regarded as one of the best midfielders in football history, Xavi was part of the Spain team that won the FIFA World Cup in 2010. He played a total of 17 seasons for the legendary club Barcelona, achieving significant success throughout his club career.
Xavi began his coaching career in 2019. He managed Al Sadd from 2019 to 2021 and then took over as Barcelona’s coach from 2021 to 2024. In his brief coaching career, he has already achieved remarkable success, winning several domestic trophies with his teams. Notably, he led Barcelona to the Spanish Super Cup title in the 2022-23 season.
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