The Royal Dutch Football Association confirmed the appointment on Wednesday, ending its search for a successor to Ronald Koeman. Xavi, 46, returns to management for the first time since leaving Barcelona in 2024. The Spaniard described the role as a tremendous honour and said his football education at Barcelona, shaped by the ideas of Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, had given him a special connection to Dutch football. Xavi said the Netherlands’ tradition of attacking, possession-based football strongly appealed to him. While winning