Xavi becomes first non-Dutch Netherlands coach since 1978

What the report says

Former Barcelona manager Xavi has been appointed head coach of the Netherlands on a four-year contract, BBC Sport Football reported. The move makes him the first non-Dutch person to lead the men’s national side since Austrian coach Ernst Happel left the role in 1978. Xavi replaces Ronald Koeman, who resigned after the Netherlands were knocked out in the last 32 at the World Cup in Qatar.

BBC Sport said the 46-year-old, a former Barcelona and Spain midfielder, described the job as a major honour and pointed to his ties to Dutch football through the coaching influences of Johan Cruyff, Rinus Michels, Louis van Gaal and Frank Rijkaard. The report also noted that former Liverpool boss Arne Slot was among the candidates but decided against the role because he wants his next job to be in club football.

Xavi’s appointment follows a managerial career that began at Al-Sadd before he returned to Barcelona in November 2021. He won La Liga in his first full season there and left Barca in 2024. The article said this is his first coaching role since then. His hiring is significant because it marks a rare foreign appointment for the Dutch national team and comes as the side looks to reset after its World Cup exit.