Xavi Hernandez appointed Netherlands manager as first foreign coach since 1978

Xavi Hernandez has been appointed manager of the Netherlands, becoming the first foreign coach to lead the national team in 48 years.

The Royal Dutch Football Association confirmed the former Spain international’s appointment on Wednesday. Hernandez has agreed to take charge of the Oranje until 2030, replacing Ronald Koeman, who resigned after the Netherlands were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup.

Koeman’s departure followed a last-32 defeat by Morocco on penalties. He subsequently announced his decision to leave the Netherlands job on his personal Instagram account.

Hernandez is the first overseas manager to take charge of the Netherlands since Austria’s Ernst Happel, who led the Dutch side to the 1978 World Cup final. Happel’s team were beaten by Argentina in that match.

The appointment marks a significant change for the Netherlands, who have traditionally been managed by Dutch coaches. Hernandez will begin his tenure with a demanding sequence of Nations League fixtures in September and October.

His first matches will come against Germany and Serbia on 24 and 27 September respectively. During the same international break, the Netherlands will then face Greece and Serbia on 1 and 4 October in the same competition.

Hernandez previously managed Al Sadd in Qatar before taking charge of Barcelona. He left the Catalan club in June 2024.

Koeman had been in his second spell as Netherlands manager before stepping down. His exit came after the team’s World Cup campaign ended against Morocco in the last 32, with the North African side advancing after winning the penalty shootout.

The Dutch Football Association’s decision to appoint Hernandez means the former Barcelona manager will now oversee the national team through to 2030. It also makes him the first non-Dutch manager of the Netherlands since Happel’s time in charge almost five decades ago.

Happel remains the last foreign coach to guide the Netherlands to a major tournament final. Under his leadership, the Dutch reached the 1978 World Cup final in Argentina, where they lost to the host nation.

For Hernandez, the new role represents a return to international management after a club career that included spells with Al Sadd and Barcelona. His immediate task will be to prepare the Netherlands for the upcoming Nations League schedule, beginning with Germany on 24 September.

The former midfielder’s first fixtures will also provide his earliest opportunity to establish his methods with the Oranje. The Netherlands will meet Germany, Serbia, Greece and Serbia across four matches before the next stage of Hernandez’s tenure takes shape.