New Coaches to Watch in the UEFA Nations League

The 2026/27 UEFA Nations League is set to showcase familiar star players and intense rivalries. This time, there are also many new, high-profile coaches joining the action.

Among the new faces are ex-Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp with Germany, Barcelona legend Xavi Hernández with the Netherlands, French icon Zinédine Zidane, and Roberto Mancini, who is back for a second term with Italy.

Portugal, Belgium, Croatia, and Czechia are also kicking off their campaigns with new coaches.

The Nations League starts with a 16-day break in European domestic football. National teams will take the spotlight before clubs return to the field.

Punch Online reported that UEFA has highlighted all eight new appointments ahead of the first matchday, starting on Thursday, September 24, 2026.

1. Jürgen Klopp, Germany

Klopp is stepping into international football after over 20 years in club management. This will be his first experience coaching a national team.

His last job was with Liverpool, where he worked for nine years before leaving in 2024. At Anfield, he won the UEFA Champions League in the 2018/19 season and the Premier League title the next year.

Before Liverpool, Klopp had a successful time at Borussia Dortmund. He won two German league titles and took the team to the 2013 Champions League final. He also led Mainz to their first promotion to the Bundesliga in 2004.

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

His first Nations League match is a big one.

First match: Netherlands vs Germany, September 24

2. Xavi Hernández, Netherlands

While Klopp is new to international management, Xavi has a rich playing history that he brings to his new role with the Netherlands.

The ex-Barcelona midfielder won eight league titles and four Champions League titles during his 17 seasons at Barcelona. He also won the European Championship with Spain in 2008 and 2012, and the World Cup in 2010.

Xavi started coaching in 2019 and led Al-Sadd to the Qatari league title before returning to Barcelona in November 2021. He helped Barcelona win the 2022/23 La Liga title before leaving in May 2024.

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

His first match is against Klopp’s Germany.

First match: Netherlands vs Germany, September 24

3. Jorge Jesus, Portugal

Portugal, the defending Nations League champions, will start their title defense with Jorge Jesus as coach.

The 72-year-old former midfielder built his name in Portugal, winning three league titles with Benfica. He has also had success outside Europe.

Jesus won the Brazilian league and Copa Libertadores with Flamengo in 2019 and another league title in Saudi Arabia last season. Cristiano Ronaldo was part of the Al Nassr team that won that title. Jesus called Ronaldo a “symbol of Portuguese football.”

He has 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.”

His first match is against Wales.

First match: Portugal vs Wales, September 24

4. Zinédine Zidane, France

Few coaches in the Nations League have the playing and coaching background of Zidane.

The French star scored two goals in the 1998 World Cup final, helping France win the trophy. He was also part of the team that won EURO 2000.

As a coach, Zidane made history at Real Madrid by winning three Champions League titles in a row after taking over in 2016. He left in 2018 but returned for another term between 2019 and 2021, winning another league title.

Zidane has not managed a club since leaving Real Madrid. He turned down several club offers because he wanted 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 match will be against Türkiye.

First match: Türkiye vs France, September 25

5. Roberto Mancini, Italy

Mancini is back in international management and the Nations League.

He returns for a second term with Italy after managing the team from 2018 to 2023. His top achievement was leading Italy to victory at EURO 2020.

Mancini also guided Italy to third place in the Nations League during the 2020/21 and 2022/23 editions. He has won league titles in England, Italy, and Qatar as a coach and player.

Mancini made 36 appearances for Italy and was part of the squad that reached the semi-finals of EURO 1988. His return begins with a match 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 star Van Bommel takes on his first role as a senior national-team coach with Belgium.

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

Van Bommel played for clubs like Fortuna Sittard, PSV, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and AC Milan. He won league titles in four countries and a Champions League.

He has also coached PSV, Wolfsburg, and Royal Antwerp, but his Belgium role is his first chance 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 match is against Mancini’s Italy.

First match: Italy vs Belgium, September 25

7. Slaven Bilić, Croatia

Bilić is back in a job he knows well.

The former Croatia defender previously managed the national team from 2006 to 2012, leading them in 65 matches and losing only eight.

He earned 44 caps for Croatia and has built a strong coaching career outside the national team. His clubs include Beşiktaş, West Ham, and West Brom. His last job was with Saudi Arabian team Al-Fateh, which ended in August 2024.

Bilić said he returns 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 is against Czechia.

First match: Czechia vs Croatia, September 26

8. Santi Denia, Czechia

Denia might not have the fame of Klopp, Zidane, or Xavi, but his work with Spain’s youth teams has earned him a shot at the senior 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 whole playing career in Spain, making over 100 appearances for Albacete and nearly 300 for Atlético Madrid. He also earned two senior caps for Spain.

Now leading 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. His third match will take him to Oviedo to face Spain.

First match: Czechia vs Croatia, September 26

The opening League A games

The new coaches will face tough tests right away, with several big matches lined up for the opening day.

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 kick off at 8:45pm Central European Time unless stated otherwise.

The Netherlands-Germany match is special as it has Xavi facing Klopp in their first games as national-team coaches. The Italy-Belgium game also features Mancini and Van Bommel, while Zidane starts his France journey against Türkiye.

England’s match with Spain adds another exciting fixture, bringing back the rivalry from the EURO 2024 final.

The first four matchdays of the 2026/27 Nations League are from September 24 to October 6. The last two league-phase matchdays are set for November 12-17. The League A quarter-finals and promotion/relegation matches will happen in March 2027, with the Nations League Finals scheduled for June 9-13, 2027.