Appointed as Netherlands National Team Head Coach, Xavi Hernandez Reveals the Influences of Johan Cruyff through to Van Gaal.

Spanish and Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez has been appointed as head coach of the Netherlands national men's team. He replaces Ronald Koeman, who resigned following Oranje's disappointing campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

This appointment marks Xavi's return to the touchline after two years without managing any club or national side. His last coaching role was at Barcelona, before he departed Camp Nou in 2024.

"Xavi Hernandez has been appointed as the new head coach of the Netherlands men's national football team. Xavi has agreed a contract running through until the 2030 FIFA World Cup," stated the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) via its official website on Thursday.

For Xavi, taking charge of the Netherlands is far more than just a chance to return to coaching. The former Barcelona midfield maestro has confirmed he holds a deep connection to Dutch football philosophy.

"I feel extremely honoured to be trusted with the position of head coach of the Netherlands national team," stated Xavi.

Xavi explained that his entire football journey from youth level was heavily influenced by the principles of legendary Dutch football figures. Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels formed core foundations of the football ideology he learned while progressing through the Barcelona academy system.

"It is fair to say my path in football has been greatly shaped by Dutch football. Great coaches including Louis van Gaal - who gave me my first team debut at Barcelona - and Frank Rijkaard also played huge roles in moulding me both as a player and as a coach," he said.

Notably, this new role sees Xavi once again follow in Ronald Koeman's footsteps. Prior to taking over the Netherlands national team, Xavi had already replaced Koeman as Barcelona head coach back in 2021.

At that time, Xavi successfully pulled Barcelona out of a turbulent period and delivered the La Liga title in the 2022/23 season. This triumph ended the Blaugrana's four-year wait for a domestic league crown.

Xavi faces no straightforward challenge with the Netherlands national side. Oranje are coming off an underwhelming 2026 World Cup, where they were eliminated in the Round of 32 following defeat to Morocco.

"The Netherlands has a robust football culture and a clear playing identity, this is something that really resonates with me. They are renowned for their attacking style, built around ball possession, full of creativity, spirit and conviction," Xavi added.

While winning will always remain the core objective, the former Spain international midfielder intends for his side to achieve results while playing in a manner true to the character of Dutch football.

"Of course the most important goal always has been, and always will be, to win. But I would far rather achieve that victory in a way that reflects this team's identity, and which the supporters can enjoy watching," he stated.

Xavi's experience at the elite level of the game provides a strong foundation for his new role. As a player, he was a central pillar of Spain's golden generation that lifted the 2010 FIFA World Cup, as well as the 2008 and 2012 European Championships.

Following his retirement as a player, Xavi began his coaching career at Al Sadd in 2019. He won seven trophies with the club before returning to Barcelona two years later.

During his tenure at Camp Nou, he guided Barcelona to the 2022/23 La Liga title and the 2023 Spanish Super Cup. However the team's form subsequently declined, and his spell concluded at the end of the 2023/24 season without further silverware.

After leaving Barcelona, Xavi was linked with multiple clubs and national sides. He chose to take an extended break from the game before finally accepting this new challenge.