The 2026/27 UEFA Nations League is set for a fresh managerial storyline, with eight coaches taking charge of teams in League A as Europe’s leading national sides return to competitive action. Among the notable appointments are former Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp with Germany, Barcelona great Xavi Hernández with the Netherlands,……
The 2026/27 UEFA Nations League is set for a fresh managerial storyline, with eight coaches taking charge of teams in League A as Europe’s leading national sides return to competitive action.
Among the notable appointments are former Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp with Germany, Barcelona great Xavi Hernández with the Netherlands, France icon Zinédine Zidane and Roberto Mancini, who begins a second stint as Italy coach.
Portugal, Belgium, Croatia and Czechia will also enter the new Nations League campaign with new men in charge, adding another layer of intrigue to the opening fixtures.
The competition begins as European domestic football pauses for a 16-day international window, putting the spotlight on national teams before club football returns.
Punch Online reported on Monday that UEFA had profiled the eight coaches ahead of the opening matchday, which gets underway on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
1. Jürgen Klopp — Germany
Klopp’s appointment marks his first move into international management after more than two decades working exclusively at club level.
The German spent nine years at Liverpool before leaving in 2024, winning the UEFA Champions League in the 2018/19 season and the Premier League title a year later.
Earlier in his career, Klopp enjoyed a highly successful period at Borussia Dortmund, where he won two Bundesliga titles and led the club to the 2013 Champions League final.
He also guided Mainz to their first-ever promotion to the Bundesliga in 2004.
Describing the Germany position as “the pinnacle, the absolutely high point of my footballing career as coach”, Klopp added: “I will give everything I have got.”
His first Nations League assignment will immediately test his new side.
First match: Netherlands vs Germany — September 24
2. Xavi Hernández — Netherlands
Xavi begins his first major international coaching assignment with a playing career that already connects him strongly to Dutch football philosophy.
The former Barcelona midfielder spent 17 seasons with the club’s first team, winning eight league titles and four Champions League trophies.
He was also a key member of Spain’s golden generation, winning EURO 2008 and EURO 2012, with the 2010 World Cup triumph coming between those successes.
Xavi began his coaching career in 2019 with Al-Sadd, where he won the Qatari league title before returning to Barcelona in November 2021.
He led Barcelona to the 2022/23 La Liga title before leaving the club in May 2024.
Read Also: Axel Witsel Retires From International Football After 140 Caps
His move to the Netherlands carries an additional connection to his football education. Having developed through Barcelona’s academy, Xavi said the influence of Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels gave him “a special connection to Dutch football.”
His first challenge will come against Klopp’s Germany.
First match: Netherlands vs Germany — September 24
3. Jorge Jesus — Portugal
Portugal begin their defence of the Nations League title with experienced coach Jorge Jesus in the dugout.
The 72-year-old former midfielder made his name in Portugal, most notably winning three league titles with Benfica.
His managerial success has also stretched beyond Europe. Jesus led Flamengo to the Brazilian league title and Copa Libertadores in 2019 before winning another league championship in Saudi Arabia last season.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was part of the Al Nassr squad that won that title, with Jesus calling him a “symbol of Portuguese football”.
The veteran coach has already outlined what he expects from his players.
“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.
His first assignment comes against Wales.
First match: Portugal vs Wales — September 24
4. Zinédine Zidane — France
Zidane returns to the international spotlight with one of the most decorated playing and coaching backgrounds among the new A League managers.
The France legend scored twice in the 1998 World Cup final as France won the tournament and was also part of the squad that lifted EURO 2000.
His coaching career at Real Madrid was equally remarkable, with Zidane guiding the Spanish giants to three successive Champions League titles after taking charge in 2016.
He departed in 2018 before returning for a second spell from 2019 to 2021, adding another Spanish league title to his honours.
Zidane has remained away from club management since leaving Madrid and said he turned down several offers while waiting for an opportunity with France.
“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 assignment will be an away fixture against Türkiye.
First match: Türkiye vs France — September 25
5. Roberto Mancini — Italy
Mancini returns to the Italy dugout for a second spell, bringing previous Nations League and international management experience with him.
The former Italy midfielder previously managed the national team from 2018 to 2023, with his biggest achievement coming in the form of EURO 2020 glory.
He also guided Italy to third place in the Nations League in the 2020/21 and 2022/23 editions.
At club level, Mancini has won league titles in England, Italy and Qatar.
He made 36 appearances for Italy during his playing career and was part of the squad that reached the EURO 1988 semi-finals.
His return begins against Belgium, whom Italy 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
Van Bommel takes his first senior national-team coaching role after a playing career that saw him represent the Netherlands at the highest level.
The former midfielder earned 79 caps for his country, including 16 as captain, and played in the Dutch team that reached the 2010 World Cup final.
His club career included spells at Fortuna Sittard, PSV, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and AC Milan, while he won domestic league titles in four countries and a Champions League.
As a coach, Van Bommel has managed PSV, Wolfsburg and Royal Antwerp, but Belgium represents his first national-team appointment.
“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 will come against Mancini’s Italy.
First match: Italy vs Belgium — September 25
7. Slaven Bilić — Croatia
Bilić returns to the Croatia job more than a decade after his previous spell in charge of the national team.
The former defender managed Croatia between 2006 and 2012, overseeing 65 matches and suffering eight defeats.
He won 44 caps for Croatia as a player before building an extensive managerial career with clubs including Beşiktaş, West Ham and West Brom.
His most recent coaching position was with Saudi Arabian club Al-Fateh, which ended in August 2024.
Bilić believes his return comes with greater experience but the same determination he had during his first spell.
“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 game back will be against Czechia.
First match: Czechia vs Croatia — September 26
8. Santi Denia — Czechia
Denia enters senior international management without the same global profile as some of his League A counterparts, but his achievements with Spain’s youth teams have earned him the opportunity.
He guided Spain to the UEFA Under-17 European Championship title in 2017 and the Under-19 crown two years later.
His most significant achievement came in 2024, when he led Spain to Olympic gold at the Paris Games.
Denia spent his entire playing career in Spain, making more than 100 appearances for Albacete and close to 300 for Atlético Madrid. He also earned two senior caps for Spain.
Now leading Czechia, Denia 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 fixture is against Croatia, while his third game in charge will see him return to Spain to face the national team in Oviedo.
First match: Czechia vs Croatia — September 26
The opening League A games
The new coaches will not have much time to settle into their roles, with several major fixtures scheduled during 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 clash stands out as Klopp and Xavi begin their international coaching careers against each other.
Mancini and Van Bommel will also meet when Italy host Belgium, while Zidane’s France tenure begins with a trip to Türkiye.
England’s clash with Spain provides another heavyweight fixture, with the two nations renewing their rivalry following the EURO 2024 final.
The first four matchdays of the 2026/27 Nations League will take place between September 24 and October 6, while the final two league-phase rounds are scheduled for November 12-17.
The League A quarter-finals and promotion/relegation play-offs will then be held in March 2027, with the Nations League Finals scheduled for June 9-13, 2027.
