- Xavi Hernández has taken charge of the Netherlands until 2030. Here is why his possession-based philosophy could transform the Dutch national team.
Xavi officially takes charge of the Netherlands
Xavi Hernández is back in management, with the Barcelona legend taking charge of the Netherlands on a contract running until the end of the 2030 World Cup. The appointment gives Xavi his first managerial role since leaving Barcelona and puts him in charge of one of Europe's most talented national teams.
The head coach role of the Dutch team has been vacant since their elimination in the round of 32 of the World Cup against Morocco; following the elimination, the federation sacked Ronald Koeman.
Xavi's return to management after Barcelona
The Dutch job will be the third managerial challenge for Xavi Hernandez in his career. After retiring from professional football with Qatari side Al Sadd, he took charge of the team as manager. After winning 7 trophies in 2 years at the club, he moved to his boyhood club, Barcelona, in 2021, when the team was in both a financial and sporting crisis.
He won a league title and the Supercopa de España with the team that he spent the majority of his career as a professional footballer with; at the end of the 2023-24 season, he was relieved of his duties by Barcelona president Joan Laporta.
The tactical philosophy Xavi brings to the Netherlands
His style of management depends on possession while maintaining defensive solidity. In his best season at Barcelona, they conceded just 20 goals and scored 70 in the domestic league. Xavi also showed a willingness to trust young players during his Barcelona tenure, with Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí emerging as important first-team figures during his time at the club.
He is heavily inspired by Spanish coaches Luis Aragonés and Pep Guardiola to formulate his tactical philosophy.
The challenge of managing an international side
He is also a good people manager. "The matter of managing a dressing room is almost more important than the tactical matter. At the end of the day we become half coaches, half psychologists. Being an elite footballer made me more empathetic to the players who don't play as much, and I also know what the growth of a footballer feels like and who needs a more loving approach. This gives me a sense of control over the dressing room." Xavi talked about his game management philosophy.
Xavi takes over a Netherlands squad packed with quality in almost every position, giving him a strong foundation to build on. His biggest challenge will be finding the right balance between his possession-based style and the demands of international football, where there is often less time to develop ideas and little room for mistakes.