Spain and Barcelona legend Xavi Hernández has been appointed as the new head coach of the Netherlands men’s national team, taking over from Ronald Koeman.

The Dutch football governing body, KNVB, made the announcement on its website on Wednesday.

According to the KNVB, Xavi has reached an agreement on a contract through to the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Xavi’s coaching career

“After an impressive playing career in which he played for Barcelona for a total of seventeen seasons and achieved great success, Xavi Hernández began his coaching career in 2019 at Al-Sadd in Qatar, where he had previously also played,” KNVB stated.

“In what is still a young coaching career, he was immediately successful, winning several domestic trophies with the club. In November 2021, Xavi returned to FC Barcelona as head coach.

“In the 2022/23 season, he led the club to victory in the Spanish Super Cup and to its first league title since the 2018/19 season.”

Xavi’s impressive playing career

As a player, Xavi is regarded as one of the most successful footballers and finest midfielders of recent decades.

He came through the FC Barcelona youth academy and made his first-team debut in 1998 under former Netherlands head coach Louis van Gaal.

Throughout his career, Xavi was known for his exceptional understanding of the game, passing ability and capacity to control the tempo of a match.

He ultimately played more than 750 official matches for FC Barcelona and won, among other honours, eight league titles, four UEFA Champions League titles and two FIFA Club World Cups with the club.

Xavi’s success with Spain

With Spain, Xavi was at the centre of one of the most successful national teams of all time for many years.

He won the European Championship in 2008 and 2012 and became a world champion in 2010.

Xavi will now take charge of the Netherlands and will be expected to bring his experience and tactical knowledge to the Dutch national team as the country prepares for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.