Xavi makes shock return to football as manager of former World Cup finalists

XAVI HERNANDEZ has agreed a shock return to management as the new boss of the Netherlands. The Barcelona legend, 46, is set to take charge of the Oranje on a four-year deal, marking his return to management. Xavi Hernandez has agreed to become Netherlands manager Credit: Getty Xavi has signed a four-year deal with the Netherlands Credit: EPA Xavi has been out of work since leaving Barcelona at the end of the 2023-24 season. The official Netherlands X account posted: “We proudly present our new head coach. Welcome, Xavi Hernández!” Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! And according to football journalist Fabrizio Romano, Xavi signed an agreement to become the new Dutch manager today The World Cup winner is now poised to make his comeback in international management with the three-time World Cup finalists. The Dutch FA have been searching for a new boss since Ronald Koeman stepped down following their World Cup exit to Morocco. Roberto Martinez had emerged as a leading contender for the vacancy after leaving Portugal following their own disappointing World Cup campaign. The former Everton boss was interviewed for the position but talkSPORT claim he has been overlooked, with Xavi instead landing the job. He will be tasked with guiding the Netherlands towards Euro 2028, with the Nations League providing his first competitive challenge next month. Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Xavi had been out of work since leaving Barcelona just over two years ago Credit: Getty Xavi famously helped Spain beat the Netherlands 1-0 in the 2010 World Cup final in Johannesburg during his glittering playing career. He later moved into management with Qatari side Al-Sadd before taking charge of Barcelona in 2021, where he won LaLiga and the Spanish Super Cup. And his appointment will make him the first foreign manager to take charge of the Netherlands men’s team in 48 years, following Austrian Ernst Happel’s spell in the late 1970s. Comment now