Now Reading: Xavi named Netherlands coach, first foreign boss since 1978
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Xavi named Netherlands coach, first foreign boss since 1978
Xavi Hernandez has been appointed head coach of the Netherlands national team, the Dutch football federation announced on Wednesday. The 46-year-old Spaniard becomes the first foreign-born coach since Austria's Ernst Happel in…
The Story in Brief
Xavi Hernandez has been appointed head coach of the Netherlands national team, the Dutch football federation announced on Wednesday. The 46-year-old Spaniard becomes the first foreign-born coach since Austria's Ernst Happel in 1978. He signed a four-year deal that will cover the Euro 2028 and 2030 World Cup campaigns.
Xavi replaces Ronald Koeman, who left after the Netherlands lost to Morocco on penalties in the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup. Xavi has been out of coaching since leaving Barcelona in 2024. His first match in charge will be a Nations League clash against Germany on September 24. The former Barcelona and Spain midfielder said he feels a 'special connection to Dutch football'.
The Indian Opinion
Spectacular name, but the romance masks hard questions. A Spanish legend who never managed a national team now takes charge of a side that lost three World Cup finals. He calls himself 'a son of Dutch football' because of Cruyff and Van Gaal, yet his Barcelona tenure ended with a sacking. The real test is not the philosophy he talks about, it is whether he can get a squad that lost to Morocco on penalties to believe again. Can a foreign coach win the Netherlands their first trophy since 1988?
Sources (3): hindustantimes.com, sportstar.thehindu.com, thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources.
