The 46-year-old returns to management after more than two years away from the dugout and immediately takes charge of one of Europe’s biggest national teams. Xavi managed 96 games at Barcelona, winning La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup. He will now reunite with Frenkie de Jong — only this time nobody should have to check whether the club can actually register him before putting his name on the team sheet.

Xavi described himself as something of a “son of Dutch football”, pointing to the influence of Johan Cruyff, Rinus Michels, Louis van Gaal and Frank Rijkaard on his football education. He also becomes the Netherlands’ first foreign head coach since 1978. Barcelona spent decades teaching him Dutch football philosophy so thoroughly that the Dutch eventually decided to take him themselves.

As for Koeman, there may be a lesson here. Before accepting his next job, perhaps he should check whether Xavi is available.

There is something wonderfully familiar about the situation. Xavi replaced Koeman at Barcelona in November 2021 and could now repeat the trick with the Dutch national team. At least this time he wouldn’t inherit Barça’s finances, registration problems and the weekly challenge of explaining why another perfectly normal football operation had somehow become complicated.

Xavi has been out of management since leaving Barcelona in 2024, having won La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup during his spell at the club. Taking the Netherlands job would also reunite him with Frenkie de Jong. Koeman may want to check over his shoulder — he has seen this particular sequel before.