Netherlands hire Xavi as Barca legend to face Klopp’s Germany in first game

Netherlands are the next European giants to hire a new coach with the surprise arrival of Xavi Hernández.

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Xavi Hernández is the new coach of the Netherlands national team as he replaces Ronald Koeman. The former Barcelona midfielder and coach is a surprise pick after earlier rumors on Wednesday linking former Belgium and Portugal coach Roberto Martinez with the job.

A World Cup and European Championship winner with Spain, Xavi had a remarkable playing career with Barcelona that includes three third-place Ballon d’Or finishes. He also won domestic doubles as a coach in Qatar (Al-Sadd) and Spain (Barcelona).

As fate has it, Jürgen Klopp and Xavi will go head-to-head in their first game as international football coaches. Klopp replaced Julian Nagelsmann after Germany’s exit in the first round of the 2026 World Cup knockout stages with a shocking defeat to Paraguay.

Netherlands also had a disappointing campaign as they were eliminated in the same stage (also on penalties) at the hands of Morocco. The Nations League opener will be played on September 24th at Johan Cruijff ArenA.