What Happened to Xavier Hernández Creus?

Xavier Hernández Creus, universally known as Xavi, established himself as one of football's most influential midfielders during his playing career. Born on January 25, 1980, in Terrassa, Spain, Xavi joined Barcelona's famed La Masia academy at the age of 11, embodying the club's possession-based philosophy. He made his first-team debut in 1998 and spent 17 seasons with FC Barcelona, becoming a central figure in an era of unprecedented success. During his time as a player at Camp Nou, he won 25 major trophies, including eight La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League crowns. He also played a pivotal role in the Spanish national team's golden era, winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup and two UEFA European Championships in 2008 and 2012.

After leaving Barcelona in 2015, Xavi concluded his playing career with Qatari club Al Sadd, where he won six trophies before retiring in May 2019. Immediately following his retirement as a player, Xavi transitioned into management, taking over as head coach of Al Sadd in May 2019. Over two and a half years, he led the club to seven trophies, including the Qatar Stars League title in the 2020-21 season, demonstrating a clear application of the 'Barça style' of play.

His success in Qatar paved the way for an emotional return to FC Barcelona as manager in November 2021, replacing Ronald Koeman. Tasked with rebuilding a club facing significant financial constraints and a transitional period, Xavi guided Barcelona to the 2022-23 La Liga title and the 2023 Supercopa de España in his first full season. However, the 2023-24 season proved challenging, with the team struggling to maintain consistency and falling behind in the title race. In January 2024, Xavi announced his intention to step down at the end of the season, citing the immense pressure and the need for a change in direction for the club.

Despite a brief reversal of his decision in April 2024, where he expressed a desire to stay, FC Barcelona ultimately decided to part ways with him. On May 24, 2024, the club officially announced that Xavi would not continue as first-team coach for the 2024-25 season, with his final match being against Sevilla. Following his departure from Barcelona, Xavi remained out of management for over two years.

On August 12, 2026, Xavi Hernández made a significant return to football management, being officially appointed as the head coach of the Netherlands national team. He takes over from Ronald Koeman, who resigned after the Netherlands' elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the Round of 32. Xavi has signed a contract through the 2030 FIFA World Cup, marking his first role as a national team manager. His appointment is seen as a philosophical alignment, given his background in the 'Cruyffian' style of football, which has strong ties to Dutch footballing principles. His debut with the Oranje is scheduled for September 24, 2026, in a Nations League match against Germany, with former Barcelona teammate Patrick Kluivert joining his coaching staff as an assistant.