Former Barcelona boss Xavi has been appointed the brand new head coach of the Netherlands.
The 46-year-old Spaniard has agreed a contract to steer the crew by way of to the 2030 World Cup.
He replaces Ronald Koeman, who stepped down following the Netherlands’ last-32 defeat by Morocco at this summer season’s World Cup.
Roberto Martinez was one other title within the working, whereas ex-Liverpool boss Arne Slot withdrew from the race, citing his precedence as remaining within the membership sport.
Former Barcelona midfielder Xavi received the World Cup as a participant with Spain in 2010 and likewise lifted the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.
He guided Barcelona to the LaLiga title in 2023 after starting his managerial profession with Qatari membership Al Sadd.
Xavi Hernandez has been appointed as the brand new Netherlands supervisor
‘I contemplate it an incredible honour to change into head coach of the Dutch nationwide crew,’ he mentioned in an announcement launched by the Dutch Soccer Affiliation (KNVB).
‘As somebody who acquired his coaching on the FC Barcelona academy, with sturdy influences from Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, amongst others, I really feel a particular connection to Dutch soccer.
‘You can say that I’m a little bit of a son of Dutch soccer.’
Xavi’s appointment marks his first return to administration since leaving Barcelona in 2024.
He took over the Catalan giants in November 2021, additionally succeeding Koeman, after making 767 appearances for the membership.
‘The Netherlands has a wealthy soccer tradition and a transparent imaginative and prescient that additionally appeals to me enormously: attacking soccer, primarily based on possession, with creativity, ardour, and conviction,’ he continued.
‘In fact, an important aim is and at all times shall be to win, however I want to take action in a manner that displays these traits and that individuals can get pleasure from.
‘The potential for that is there, in addition to a strong basis to construct upon.’
Explaining Xavi’s appointment, KNVB director of soccer Nigel de Jong mentioned: ‘As a coach, he has been formed by years of working with prime coaches who espouse a soccer imaginative and prescient that aligns very properly with the best way we need to play with the Dutch nationwide crew: taking initiative, dominant and engaging soccer, mixed with the pliability that trendy elite soccer calls for.
‘Xavi believes in these primary ideas, has embraced that imaginative and prescient, and made it his personal. All of that, mixed along with his persona and the best way he is aware of the way to join with gamers and get the most effective out of a gaggle, makes him the precise alternative for the approaching years.’
