Roberto Martinez snubbed for Netherlands manager job with World Cup winner to be appointed

Xavi is set to be appointed the new head coach of the Netherlands ahead of Roberto Martinez, talkSPORT understands.

Martinez had looked the favourite to take the reigns of the Dutch national team, who are currently without a manager following Ronald Koeman’s departure.

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Having stepped down as Portugal boss after their World Cup exit, Martinez was free to make an immediate return to management.

However, talkSPORT understands that the 53-year-old was interviewed for the Netherlands vacancy, only to be turned down.

And in the Spaniard’s place, the Netherlands are now set to appoint footballing legend and former Barcelona manager, Xavi.

The 46-year-old has not managed since his departure from the Camp Nou in 2024, where he spent three years in charge of his former club.

As a player, Xavi played a key role in Spain’s World Cup triumph in 2010, where they beat the Netherlands 1-0 in the final in Johannesburg.

Before his three years as Barcelona boss, the legendary midfielder began his managerial career at Qatari team Al Sadd.

He spent 18 months in charge of the Middle Eastern outfit, winning seven trophies during this time.

Twist in the tale

Should Xavi’s appointment as Holland boss go through, he will become the first foreign manager of their national team in 48 years.

Ernst Happel was the last non-Dutchman to hold the role, with the Austrian spending a year in charge between 1977 and 1978.

Martinez had looked primed to end this wait, when reports in Holland claimed he was being lined up to succeed Koeman.

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However, despite being interviewed for the role, with Dutch media revealing he spoke to he held talks with KNVB technical director Nigel de Jong over the position, his time away from international management looks set to continue for now.

The ex-Premier League manager spent six-and-a-half-years with Belgium, before his appointment as Portugal boss in 2023.

Despite his contract expiring at the end of July, Martinez immediately left his role after Portugal lost 1-0 to Spain in the last-16.

He was one of 17 managers that left their position as head coach either during the global tournament in North America, or after their run in the competition concluded.

The Netherlands were among those countries, with former boss Koeman calling time on his three-and-a-half-year spell in charge after Holland lost to Morocco on penalties in the round of 32 stage.

Martinez is the latest high-profile name to miss out on the role, with Dutch publication De Telegraaf also reporting that Arne Slot, Erik ten Hag and Peter Bosz have passed up on the chance to take the reigns.

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