By Adegboyega Adeleye
The 2026/27 UEFA Nations League begins this week with a number of Europe’s biggest football countries ushering in a new era in the dugout.
Several of the continent’s most recognisable coaching names are taking charge of national teams for the first time, while others are returning to familiar international assignments.
With the 16-day international break bringing domestic football to a temporary halt, attention now turns to the Nations League and the new coaches preparing for their first competitive tests.
Here is the full list of coaches set for their first games this international break.
1. France — Zinédine Zidane
Zinédine Zidane begins his first competitive assignment as France coach after taking over from Didier Deschamps, who left after the 2026 World Cup in July.
The former France captain is returning to management after leaving Real Madrid in 2021. As a player, Zidane helped France win the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, while his coaching career at Real Madrid included three consecutive Champions League titles.
According to UEFA, Zidane rejected several club offers in recent years while waiting for the opportunity to manage France.
His first Nations League game will be away to Türkiye on September 25.
2. Portugal — Jorge Jesus
Portugal begin their Nations League title defence with Jorge Jesus in charge.
The 72-year-old has extensive club experience, including three Portuguese league titles with Benfica, the Brazilian league and Copa Libertadores with Flamengo in 2019, and another league title in Saudi Arabia last season.
Jesus is now taking charge of a national team for the first time at senior level. Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was part of his title-winning Al Nassr squad in Saudi Arabia, with Jesus describing the Portugal captain as a “symbol of Portuguese football.”
His first game in charge of the Portuguese team will be against Wales on September 24.
3. Germany — Jürgen Klopp
Jürgen Klopp makes his first venture into international management when Germany face the Netherlands on September 24.
Klopp left Liverpool in 2024 after nine years at Anfield, where he won the Champions League and Premier League, having previously won two Bundesliga titles with Borussia Dortmund.
The appointment as Germany coach represents his first national-team coaching job after more than two decades in club football. Klopp described the Germany position as “the pinnacle” and “the absolutely high point” of his coaching career.
4. Italy — Roberto Mancini
Roberto Mancini returns to the Italy job for a second spell, having previously managed the Azzurri from 2018 to 2023.
His first spell produced Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph, while he also guided the team to third place in two editions of the Nations League.
Mancini’s return begins with a heavyweight clash against Belgium on September 25. He will face a familiar opponent, having led Italy to victory over Belgium in the quarter-finals of Euro 2020.
The experienced manager has won league titles in England, Italy and Qatar during his club career.
5. Netherlands — Xavi Hernández
Xavi Hernández begins his managerial tenure for Netherlands against Klopp’s Germany on September 24.
The former Barcelona midfielder moves into a new international chapter after coaching Al-Sadd and Barcelona, where he won the 2022/23 La Liga title.
As a player, Xavi won eight league titles and four Champions League trophies with Barcelona and was part of Spain’s golden generation that won Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.
The 46-year-old’s connection with Dutch football can be seen through the influence of Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels on his development at Barcelona.
6. Belgium — Mark van Bommel
Mark van Bommel takes charge of Belgium for his first senior national-team coaching assignment.
The former Netherlands midfielder won 79 international caps and was part of the Dutch side that reached the 2010 World Cup final.
His club career included PSV, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and AC Milan, while his coaching experience includes spells with PSV, Wolfsburg and Royal Antwerp.
Van Bommel’s first competitive test comes against Italy on September 25. He said his objective is to build a Belgium side that is “disciplined, ambitious and brave enough to compete with the very best.”
7. Croatia — Slaven Bilić
Slaven Bilić returns as Croatia coach more than a decade after his first spell in charge.
Bilić managed Croatia from 2006 to 2012, overseeing 65 matches, and now returns with considerably more club-management experience behind him.
The former Croatia defender, who won 44 caps as a player, has since coached clubs including Beşiktaş, West Ham and West Brom. His most recent coaching job was with Saudi Arabian club Al-Fateh.
Bilić’s first game back is against Czechia on September 26.
8. Czechia — Santi Denia
Santi Denia takes his first major senior international coaching role with Czechia after building his reputation within Spain’s youth setup.
Denia guided Spain to the UEFA Under-17 European Championship in 2017 and the Under-19 title in 2019 before leading the country to Olympic gold at the Paris 2024 Games.
The former Albacete and Atlético Madrid defender also earned two senior caps for Spain during his playing career.
His first Nations League match in charge of Czechia is against Croatia on September 26, and his third game will take him back to Spain, when Czechia face La Roja in Oviedo.
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.
Vanguard News
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