Ahead of the 2030 World Cup, the 2026/27 Nations League tournament is set to begin, and the football world's attention is focused on the debuts of several star coaches. Among them are Jürgen Klopp and Zinedine Zidane, who are preparing for their first international matches.
The end of World Cup cycles traditionally brings new faces to coaching staffs, but the 2026 cycle is distinguished by particular intensity: since the North American tournament, ten European countries have appointed new managers this summer.
The most significant figures are the French legend and 1998 World Cup winner Zidane, who replaced Didier Deschamps, as well as former Liverpool manager Klopp, who has taken charge of his native Germany.
When Deschamps announced that the 2026 World Cup would mark the end of his fourteen-year tenure at the helm of the French national team, only one name was mentioned among fans—'Zizou.' Their wish came true in July when it was announced that the three-time Champions League winner would take over in place of his former teammate and captain in the French national team.
Current French captain Kylian Mbappé told the Spanish newspaper AS on Monday: 'It feels like a movie, but it's real.' At 54 years old, Zidane will play his first matches as a coach in Turkey on Friday, and then in Belgium three days later, before debuting at the Stade de France on October 2 against Italy. The next match against the Belgians in Paris on Monday will conclude Zidane's first international management match.
Former Real Madrid coach Zidane stated in July: 'Working in France was the only thing I wanted. I had several offers over these four or five years to take over a club, but I rejected them all for the French national team. I am ready for this challenge; it drives me.'
If Zidane's appointment marks the long-awaited return of an iconic figure to the French national team, Klopp's appointment caused no less excitement in Germany, even though it is the former Mainz defender's first experience with the national team.
Having not played as a player, Klopp earned his name in football specifically as a coach. After outstanding periods working at Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, as well as a period spent outside the coaching dugout as Global Sporting Director for Red Bull, Klopp will start an adventure that many in Germany considered impossible.
Following Julian Nagelsmann's departure after the unsuccessful German World Cup, Klopp stated at his presentation: 'This is the perfect peak of my career, my life, my professional life. I will give everything I have.'
The charismatic 59-year-old Klopp has already demonstrated that he will act according to his own discretion, calling up 44 players divided into two groups for his first matches. These games will take place against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Thursday, and three days later at home against Greece. Further matches are scheduled against Serbia in Munich on October 1 and a trip to Greece on October 4.
Other newcomers in this round of Nations League matches include Jorge Jesus, who will debut for Portugal when the current tournament champions participate in the game against Wales on Thursday. Former Barcelona metronome and 2010 World Cup winner Xavi Hernández replaces Ronald Koeman as the coach of the Netherlands. Roberto Mancini, who led Italy to victory in Euro 2020, returns to try and fix the situation for the Azzurri.
Former Bayern Munich and Netherlands midfielder Mark van Bommel will play his first match for Belgium against Italy, while Slavko Pilić once again takes charge of Croatia after a successful six-year spell at Vatreni from 2006 to 2012. Spain's coach, World Cup and European champion Luis de la Fuente, remains in his post; his contract was extended until 2032 on Monday. His champions will start the fight for a second Nations League title with a bright clash against England's Thomas Tuchel at Wembley on Saturday.