Xavi Hernandez will lead the Netherlands through the 2030 World Cup after being named the national team’s new head coach.
The 46-year-old Spaniard succeeds Ronald Koeman and is taking charge of a senior international side for the first time. Xavi has been without a coaching role since his departure from Barcelona in 2024, having spent three seasons managing the Catalan club.
Koeman began his second spell with the Netherlands in 2023, following an earlier stint between 2018 and 2020. He guided the team to the semi-finals of Euro 2024 and the last 32 at this year’s World Cup, where Morocco ended their campaign in a penalty shootout. Koeman departed after the tournament.
Xavi becomes the Netherlands’ first overseas coach since Austria’s Ernst Happel was in charge at the 1978 World Cup. His opening match will come against Germany in the Nations League on September 24.
