Former Barcelona manager Xavi has been appointed the new head coach of the Netherlands on a four-year deal.

The 46-year-old, who played for Barcelona and Spain, will become the first non-Dutch coach to take charge of the Netherlands since Austrian coach Ernst Happel stepped down in 1978.

Ronald Koeman resigned as Netherlands manager following a last-32 defeat by Morocco at this summer’s World Cup.

“I consider it a tremendous honour to become head coach of the Dutch national team,” Xavi said.

“As someone who received his training at Barca’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 partly a son of Dutch football. Other great coaches, especially Louis van Gaal, under whom I made my debut at Barca, and Frank Rijkaard, also played an important role in shaping me as a player and coach.”

Former Liverpool head coach Arne Slot confirmed he held talks over the job but withdrew because he wants his next role to be in club football.

Xavi, who won three international trophies, was part of the Spain team that beat the Netherlands in the 2010 World Cup final.

He retired in 2019 and went into management with Al-Sadd before taking over at Barca in November 2021, where he won a La Liga title in his first full season in charge.

It will be Xavi’s first managerial job since he stepped down from Barcelona in 2024.