{
  "id": 696847,
  "title": "Netherlands name Xavi as new coach",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/netherlands-name-xavi-as-new-coach",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-12T20:12:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Channel News Asia",
    "slug": "channel-news-asia",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/netherlands-name-xavi-new-coach-6315796"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On August 12, the Dutch football federation announced that Xavi Hernandez will serve as the nation's new head coach through the 2030 World Cup. The 46-year-old Spaniard replaces Ronald Koeman, marking Xavi's return to coaching after a three-season stint at Barcelona concluded in 2024. Koeman, who previously managed the Netherlands from 2018 to 2020, led the team to the Euro 2024 semi-finals and the round of 32 at this year's World Cup, but was dismissed following the tournament. Xavi, the first foreign coach for the Netherlands since Austria's Ernst Happel in 1978, will make his debut as head coach against Germany in a Nations League match on September 24.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Xavi agrees to become Netherlands national team coach, says Romano",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/xavi-agrees-to-become-netherlands-national-team-coach-says-romano",
        "published": "2026-08-12T19:32:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "3News",
        "title": "Netherlands appoint Barcelona legend Xavi Hernández as new head coach",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/netherlands-appoint-barcelona-legend-xavi-hernandez-as-new-head-coach",
        "published": "2026-08-12T19:50:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}