UEFA Nations League: Klopp, Zidane, Xavi, Mancini, four other new coaches to watch

The 2026/27 UEFA Nations League will bring a familiar mix of star players, big international rivalries and, this time, several high-profile new faces in the dugout.

Among the coaches beginning new chapters are former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp with Germany, Barcelona and Spain great Xavi Hernández with the Netherlands, France legend Zinédine Zidane and Roberto Mancini, who returns for a second spell with Italy.

Portugal, Belgium, Croatia and Czechia will also begin the League A campaign with new coaches.

The Nations League comes as European domestic football takes a 16-day international break, with national teams temporarily taking centre stage before club action resumes.

THE PRIME NEWS on Monday reported that UEFA profiled all eight of the summer appointments ahead of the opening matchday, which begins on Thursday, September 24, 2026.

1. Jürgen Klopp — Germany

Klopp arrives in international football after more than two decades of club management, making his first venture into coaching a national team.

The German’s most recent job was at Liverpool, where he spent nine years before leaving in 2024.

His time at Anfield produced the UEFA Champions League title in the 2018/19 season and the Premier League title the following campaign.

Before Liverpool, Klopp enjoyed a successful spell at Borussia Dortmund, winning two German league titles and taking the club to the 2013 Champions League final.

He also guided Mainz to their first promotion to the Bundesliga in 2004.

Klopp described the Germany job as “the pinnacle, the absolutely high point of my footballing career as coach”, adding: “I will give everything I have got.”

His first Nations League assignment is a huge one.

First match: Netherlands vs Germany — September 24

2. Xavi Hernández — Netherlands

If Klopp is entering international management for the first time, Xavi brings a remarkable playing pedigree to his new role with the Netherlands.

The former Barcelona midfielder won eight league titles and four Champions League titles during 17 first-team seasons at Barcelona.

With Spain, he won the European Championship in 2008 and 2012, with the 2010 World Cup triumph in between.

Xavi moved into coaching in 2019, leading Al-Sadd to the Qatari league title before returning to Barcelona in November 2021.

He guided Barcelona to the 2022/23 La Liga title before leaving the club in May 2024.

His appointment in the Netherlands also has a cultural connection. Xavi was developed at Barcelona’s academy and said the influence of Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels gave him “a special connection to Dutch football.”

His first assignment is against Klopp’s Germany.

First match: Netherlands vs Germany — September 24

3. Jorge Jesus — Portugal

Portugal, the reigning Nations League champions, begin their title defence with Jorge Jesus at the helm.

The 72-year-old former midfielder built his reputation in Portugal, most notably winning three league titles with Benfica.

His success has also extended beyond Europe.

Jesus won the Brazilian league and Copa Libertadores with Flamengo in 2019 before claiming another league title in Saudi Arabia last season.

Cristiano Ronaldo was part of the Al Nassr squad that won that title, with Jesus describing the Portugal captain as a “symbol of Portuguese football”.

The veteran coach has already made his expectations clear.

“I want my players to understand that if they want to win, they have to pay the price. We all have to pay the price,” Jesus said.

He will begin against Wales.

First match: Portugal vs Wales — September 24

4. Zinédine Zidane — France

Few coaches in the Nations League will arrive with Zidane’s combination of playing and coaching pedigree.

The France legend scored twice in the 1998 World Cup final as France lifted the trophy and was also part of the team that won EURO 2000.

As a coach, Zidane made history at Real Madrid by leading the Spanish giants to three consecutive Champions League titles after taking charge in 2016.

He left Madrid in 2018 before returning for a second spell between 2019 and 2021, during which he won another Spanish league title.

Zidane has been away from club management since leaving Real Madrid, but he rejected several club offers because he was waiting for the France job.

“I had several offers from clubs in the last four to five years, but I turned them all down for France,” he said.

His first competitive test will be against Türkiye.

First match: Türkiye vs France — September 25

5. Roberto Mancini — Italy

Mancini is not new to international management or the Nations League.

The Italian returns for a second spell in charge of the Azzurri after previously managing the team from 2018 to 2023.

His biggest achievement came when he led Italy to glory at EURO 2020.

Mancini also guided Italy to third place in the Nations League in both the 2020/21 and 2022/23 editions.

His club career includes league titles in England, Italy and Qatar.

As a player, Mancini made 36 appearances for Italy and was part of the squad that reached the semi-finals of EURO 1988.

His return begins against Belgium, a team he famously defeated in the quarter-finals of EURO 2020.

“I will try to make sure the team is so beautiful and plays so well that the fans fall in love with it,” Mancini said.

First match: Italy vs Belgium — September 25

6. Mark van Bommel — Belgium

Former Netherlands international Van Bommel takes his first job as a senior national-team head coach with Belgium.

The midfielder won 79 caps for the Netherlands, including 16 appearances as captain, and was part of the Dutch team that reached the 2010 World Cup final.

His club career included Fortuna Sittard, PSV, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and AC Milan.

Along the way, he won league titles in four countries and a Champions League.

Van Bommel has also coached PSV, Wolfsburg and Royal Antwerp, but his Belgium appointment represents his first opportunity to lead a national team.

“Belgium has outstanding players and enormous potential,” he said.

“Together with my coaching staff, we want to build a team that is disciplined, ambitious and brave enough to compete with the very best.”

His first test is against Mancini’s Italy.

First match: Italy vs Belgium — September 25

7. Slaven Bilić — Croatia

Bilić is returning to a job he already knows.

The former Croatia defender previously managed the national team between 2006 and 2012, taking charge of 65 matches and losing only eight.

He earned 44 caps for Croatia as a player and has since built extensive coaching experience outside the national team.

His clubs have included Beşiktaş, West Ham and West Brom, while his most recent job was with Saudi Arabian side Al-Fateh, which ended in August 2024.

Bilić said he was returning as a more experienced coach but with the same desire to succeed.

“I am genuinely happy to start this challenge and I feel fully prepared for it – as a more mature and experienced coach than in 2006, yet with the same motivation and desire to see Croatia stay powerful, bold, and successful,” he said.

His first match back in charge of Croatia is against Czechia.

First match: Czechia vs Croatia — September 26

8. Santi Denia — Czechia

Denia may not have the global profile of Klopp, Zidane or Xavi, but his coaching record with Spain’s youth teams has earned him a chance at senior international level.

He helped Spain win the UEFA Under-17 EURO in 2017 and the Under-19 EURO in 2019.

His biggest achievement came in 2024 when he guided Spain to Olympic gold at the Paris Games.

Denia spent his entire playing career in Spain, making more than 100 appearances for Albacete and nearly 300 for Atlético Madrid. He also won two senior caps for Spain.

Now in charge of Czechia, he said: “I’m delighted to be here. And I’m extremely motivated, because I see the chance to lead the Czech national team as a great opportunity. Czech football has a glorious history.”

His first Nations League game is against Croatia, while his third match in charge will take him to Oviedo to face Spain.

First match: Czechia vs Croatia — September 26

The opening League A games

The new-look dugouts will be tested almost immediately, with several heavyweight fixtures scheduled for the opening matchday.

Thursday, September 24
– Netherlands vs Germany
– Serbia vs Greece
– Norway vs Denmark
– Portugal vs Wales

Friday, September 25
– Italy vs Belgium
– Türkiye vs France

Saturday, September 26
– Czechia vs Croatia
– England vs Spain

All League A matches are scheduled for 8:45pm Central European Time unless otherwise stated.

The Netherlands-Germany meeting is particularly notable because it pits Xavi against Klopp in their first matches as national-team coaches.

The Italy-Belgium clash also brings together Mancini and Van Bommel, while Zidane begins his France tenure against Türkiye.

England’s meeting with Spain adds another major fixture to the opening round, with the sides renewing the rivalry from the EURO 2024 final.

The first four matchdays of the 2026/27 Nations League will be played between September 24 and October 6, while the final two league-phase matchdays are scheduled for November 12-17. The League A quarter-finals and promotion/relegation play-offs will follow in March 2027, with the Nations League Finals scheduled for June 9-13, 2027.