Xavi has held talks with the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) about becoming the next manager of the Netherlands, according to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, although it remains unclear whether he will ultimately take charge of the national team.
The report says the KNVB has discussed the position with the former Barcelona head coach as it considers its options for the role. No decision has been confirmed, but it is understood that an announcement could be made in the short term.
Xavi is not the only high-profile candidate to have been considered. Before talks with Roberto Martinez and Xavi, the KNVB reportedly examined the suitability of Bosz, Slot, Ten Hag, Guardiola and Michael Reiziger for the position.
Despite the discussions, there is no indication yet that Xavi has agreed to become the Netherlands manager. The KNVB’s talks with him place the 44-year-old among a group of prominent names linked with the squad, but the identity of the next coach remains unresolved.
Xavi has an established connection with Dutch football through his time at Barcelona. On 6 November 2021, he replaced the dismissed Koeman as head coach of the Catalan club, which has longstanding links with the Netherlands and Dutch football.
During his time in charge at Barcelona, Xavi worked with Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong. His playing career also included association with Van Gaal and Rijkaard. According to the report, he made his national team debut under Van Gaal and won the Champions League during Rijkaard’s tenure.
The latest developments come as speculation over the Netherlands job continues to grow. The KNVB is understood to have held talks with several possible candidates, with Roberto Martinez and Xavi among the names most recently linked with the vacancy.
However, while the discussions suggest the process is advancing, the report stresses that it is still unclear whether Xavi will take over the Dutch team. The KNVB is yet to confirm who will be appointed, and the final decision is expected to clarify whether the former Barcelona manager moves into international coaching with the Netherlands.
Xavi replaced Koeman at Barcelona in November 2021 after Koeman was dismissed. His period as Barcelona head coach included working with De Jong, further strengthening the connection between the Spanish coach and a player who is central to the Netherlands squad.
For now, Xavi remains one of the options under consideration rather than the confirmed successor. The other names previously assessed by the KNVB underline the breadth of the search, but the latest report indicates that talks with Xavi have taken place as the association weighs its final choice.