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See the full story · 1 sourcesThe Netherlands has hired former Barcelona player and coach Xavi Hernández as head coach of its men's national team through the 2030 World Cup.
Hernández, 46, replaces Ronald Koeman, who had managed the Oranje since 2023. Koeman stepped down following the Netherlands' Round of 32 exit at the 2026 World Cup .
"I consider it a tremendous honour to become head coach of the Dutch national team," Hernández said in a statement . "As someone who received his training at Barça's academy, with strong influences from Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, among others, I feel a special connection to Dutch football.
"You could say that I am a partly a son of Dutch football. Other great coaches, especially Louis van Gaal, under whom I made my debut at Barça, and Frank Rijkaard, also played an important role in shaping me as a player and coach."
Hernández is the first foreign manager to lead the Netherlands since Austria’s Ernst Happel in 1977-78.
We proudly present our new head coach. 🇳🇱⁰⁰Welcome, Xavi Hernández! 🧡 #NothingLikeOranje #Xavi2030 pic.twitter.com/9aOpc9J53S
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) August 12, 2026
This marks the second time Hernández has replaced Koeman as a coach. In 2021, he took over for the Dutchman managing Barcelona.
The Netherlands job will be Hernández's first on the international stage. He began his managing career in 2019 after joining Al Sadd of Qatar. After two seasons there, he took over Barcelona and led them to a La Liga title and a Spanish Super Cup.
As a player, Hernández came up through Barcelona's famed La Masia youth academy. He made his debut for the senior team in 1998. He would play 17 seasons with the La Liga side winning eight league titles, three Copa del Reys, six Spanish Super Cups, four Champions Leagues, two UEFA Super Cups and two FIFA Club World Cups.
He spent his final four seasons as a player with Al Sadd before transitioning into coaching.
While representing Spain, Hernández helped his country win the 2010 World Cup and back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012.
Hernández's first big test will be helping the Netherlands reach Euro 2028 with qualifying beginning next March.
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