The Netherlands now has a new head coach. The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) announced that Xavi Hernández will take over the position vacated by Ronald Koeman following the team’s early elimination from the 2026 World Cup.
The former FC Barcelona and Al-Sadd coach will take on the challenge of leading the Dutch national team for the next few years. According to the announcement, Patrick Kluivert will be one of his assistants, while the rest of the coaching staff will be finalized in the coming weeks.
Xavi’s arrival also has a special twist: during his time at Barcelona, the Spaniard took over for Koeman after the Dutchman was fired due to poor results.
For Xavi, his connection to Dutch football goes beyond this new challenge. The coach highlighted the influence that figures such as Johan Cruyff, Rinus Michels, Louis van Gaal, and Frank Rijkaard had on his development.
The new Dutch national team coach also made clear what kind of football he intends to develop. His vision calls for an attacking team characterized by possession, creativity, passion, and conviction—elements he considers part of the Netherlands’ football identity.
“The Netherlands has a rich football culture and a clear vision that appeals to me greatly,” Xavi said as he explained his vision.
The coach acknowledged that the main goal will be to win, though he also wants the national team to do so with a style that embodies those characteristics and appeals to fans.
Xavi also revealed that his coaching staff will include Dutch members. The intention is to incorporate local knowledge of football, the players, and the country’s culture and combine it with his own experience to maximize the team’s collective performance.
With this decision, the Netherlands begins a new chapter following Koeman’s departure and places its project in the hands of a coach who is committed to possession-based, attacking football.
