The 2026/27 Nations League is set to kick off on Thursday, with a star-studded lineup of new coaches making their debuts in international football. At least 10 European nations have appointed new coaches since the 2026 World Cup in North America. Notable appointments include Zinedine Zidane as the new France coach and Jurgen Klopp as the new Germany coach. Zidane, a 1998 World Cup winner and France legend, succeeds Didier Deschamps as Les Bleus boss. Klopp, the former Liverpool manager, takes over as the head coach of the German national team.
Zidane's appointment as France coach was highly anticipated, with current France skipper Kylian Mbappe describing it as "like a film, but it's amazing. It's real." Zidane will oversee his first matches as coach away to Turkey on Friday and in Belgium three days later, before making his touchline bow at the Stade de France on October 2 against Italy. A second meeting against Belgium in Paris the following Monday will bring the curtain down on Zidane's opening salvo in international management. Zidane had turned down offers to take charge of clubs over the past few years to wait for the France job.
Klopp's appointment as Germany coach has also generated significant excitement, marking his first taste of the Nationalmannschaft. Klopp made his name in football as a coach, with legendary spells at Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool. He will begin his adventure with Germany against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Thursday and at home to Greece three days later. Klopp has already shown he will do things his way by calling up 44 players, divided into two squads, for his first matches in charge.
Other new coaches making their debuts in the Nations League include Jorge Jesus, who will make his Portugal debut against Wales on Thursday. Ex-Barcelona metronome and 2010 World Cup winner Xavi Hernandez replaces Ronald Koeman as Netherlands coach. Roberto Mancini, who masterminded Italy's Euro 2020 victory, returns to try and right the course of the floundering Azzurri. Former Bayern Munich and Netherlands midfielder Mark van Bommel will oversee his first Belgium match against Italy.
The Nations League will also see the return of familiar faces, with Spain's World Cup and European Championship-winning coach Luis de la Fuente staying put. He was rewarded with a contract extension until 2032 on Monday. His world champions will begin their tilt at a second Nations League title with an eye-catching clash against Thomas Tuchel's England at Wembley on Saturday.
Some coaches are looking to make an immediate impact, with Slaven Bilic taking over the Croatia reins for a second time, following a successful six-year spell in charge of the Vatreni between 2006 and 2012. Mancini is eager to get started on his "new adventure" with Italy, while van Bommel is set to make his debut against Italy.
The Nations League promises to be an exciting competition, with many new coaches looking to make their mark on international football. The return of star coaches like Zidane and Klopp is set to bring a new level of excitement to the competition.
Key points
- Zinedine Zidane and Jurgen Klopp make their debuts as France and Germany coaches respectively in the Nations League.
- At least 10 European nations have appointed new coaches since the 2026 World Cup.
- The Nations League kicks off on Thursday, with several high-profile matches, including France vs Italy and England vs Spain.
