Xavi Hernandez has been named head coach of the Netherlands national team, taking over from Ronald Koeman on a contract running through the 2030 World Cup, the Royal Dutch Football Association announced Wednesday. He becomes the first foreign manager of the Oranje since Austria's Ernst Happel departed in 1978.
Koeman stepped down after the Netherlands were eliminated by Morocco in the round of 32 at this summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Earlier Wednesday, De Telegraaf had reported the KNVB was in talks with Roberto Martinez for the vacancy.
Xavi, 46, has been without a club since leaving Barcelona in 2024, where he was succeeded by Hansi Flick. As a player, he won the 2010 World Cup and two European Championships with Spain and made 767 appearances for Barcelona.