Xavi named first foreign Netherlands coach since 1978

PARIS: Xavi Hernandez has been named as the successor to Ronald Koeman as head coach of the Netherlands national team, becoming their first foreign boss in 48 years, the country’s football association announced on Wednesday.
The Barcelona great, who won the 2010 World Cup with Spain as a player, has not held a head coaching job since leaving the Camp Nou in 2024.
Xavi has signed a four-year deal, which means he will lead the Oranje’s Euro 2028 and 2030 World Cup campaigns.
“As someone who received his training at the Barcelona academy, with strong influences from Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, among others, I feel a special connection to Dutch football,” said the 46-year-old former midfielder.
“You could say that I am a bit of a son of Dutch football.
“Other great coaches, especially Louis van Gaal, under whom I made my debut at Barcelona, and Frank Rijkaard, also played an important role in shaping me as a player and coach.”
Koeman stepped down after his second spell in charge of the Dutch ended with a last-32 defeat on penalties against Morocco.
Ex-Liverpool manager Arne Slot reportedly held initial talks with the Dutch association, but preferred to stay in club football.
Xavi’s first match at the helm will be a Nations League clash with rivals Germany at the Johann Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam on September 24.
He is the Netherlands’ first foreign boss since Austrian Ernst Happel, whose side reached the 1978 World Cup final before losing to Argentina.
“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,” Xavi added.
“Of course, the most important goal is and always will be to win, but I