Football: Former Spanish international Xavi appointed new coach of the Netherlands

Former Spanish international Xavi Hernández has been appointed as the new head coach of the Netherlands men’s national football team.

The 46-year-old Spanish coach takes over from Ronald Koeman who stepped down after the Netherlands yet again failed to win the recently ended FIFA World Cup held in North America.

Xavi has agreed to a contract with the KNVB that runs through to the 2030 FIFA World Cup which will be held in South America, Europe and Africa.

The former FC Barcelona midfielder and World Cup winner, will be expected to guide the Netherlands to a first ever triumph at that Mundial.

Also, he will look to win the European Championship in a couple of years time as well as the Nations League title.

The Netherlands, have struggled to impress at major tournaments, and have only the European Championship triumph in 1988 to show for success on the international stage.

They are three times runners-up at the FIFA World Cup in 1974, 1978 and 2010 in Germany, Argentina and South Africa respectively.