Former Barcelona boss Xavi has been appointed as the new head coach of the Netherlands on a contract running through to the 2030 World Cup.
The 46-year-old Spaniard replaces Ronald Koeman, who stepped down following the Netherlands' last-32 defeat by Morocco at this summer's World Cup.
Roberto Martinez was another name in the running for the post, while former Liverpool boss Arne Slot withdrew from the race, citing his priority as remaining in the club game.
Coaching background and playing honours
Xavi's appointment marks his first return to management since leaving Barcelona in 2024. He took over the Catalan giants in November 2021, also succeeding Koeman, after making 767 appearances for the club during his playing career.
He guided Barcelona to the LaLiga title in 2023 after beginning his managerial career with Qatari club Al Sadd. As a player, the former midfielder won the World Cup with Spain in 2010 and also lifted the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.
Cruyff influence and Dutch football connection
"I consider it a tremendous honour to become head coach of the Dutch national team," Xavi said in a statement released by the Dutch Football Association (KNVB).
"As someone who received his training at the FC Barcelona academy, with strong influences from Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, among others, I feel a special connection to Dutch football," he added, referencing the iconic figures who shaped the tactical philosophy of both Barcelona and the Netherlands. "You could say that I am a bit of a son of Dutch football."
"The Netherlands has a rich football culture and a clear vision that also appeals to me enormously: attacking football, based on possession, with creativity, passion, and conviction," he continued. "Of course, the most important goal is and always will be to win, but I prefer to do so in a way that reflects those characteristics and that people can enjoy. The potential for this is there, as well as a solid foundation to build upon."
Endorsement from KNVB leadership
Explaining Xavi's appointment, KNVB director of football Nigel de Jong said the former midfielder's vision aligns perfectly with the Dutch national team's traditional identity.
"As a coach, he has been shaped by years of working with top coaches who espouse a football vision that aligns very well with the way we want to play with the Dutch national team: taking initiative, dominant and attractive football, combined with the flexibility that modern elite football demands," De Jong said.
"Xavi believes in those basic principles, has embraced that vision, and made it his own," De Jong added. "All of that, combined with his personality and the way he knows how to connect with players and get the best out of a group, makes him the right choice for the coming years."
