Former Barcelona coach and captain Xavi has been named as the new manager of the Netherlands national team.

The 46-year-old has been without a job since leaving the Nou Camp in 2024 but has been chosen to replace Ronald Koeman.

He has signed a contract until the 2030 World Cup.

“It is an honour to become the coach of the Dutch national team,” Xavi said.

“As someone who came through Barcelona’s academy, with the strong influence of figures like Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, I feel a special connection to Dutch football. You could say that, in a way, I am a son of Dutch football.”

The Dutch parted company with Koeman – another former Barca boss – after they were knocked out of the World Cup by Morocco.

Koeman was widely criticised for a tactic of containment against the African champions in a break from the team’s traditional approach.

Former Belgium and Portugal coach Roberto Martinez was linked with the job but Xavi has instead been handed his first international role.

Xavi won the World Cup with Spain in 2010 and began his coaching career at Al Saad in Qatar before taking the job with Barcelona in 2021. He led the team to the LaLiga title in 2022-23 and won the Spanish Super Cup with Barcelona in 2023.