Nations League: Klopp, Zidane, Xavi, Mancini Begin New International Chapters
The 2026/27 UEFA Nations League is set to open with several high-profile managers beginning new chapters in international football. Among the eight new coaches in League A are former Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp, who takes charge of Germany for the first time, Barcelona and Spain great Xavi Hernández, who begins his tenure with the Netherlands, and France legend Zinédine Zidane, who returns to management as head coach of his country. Roberto Mancini is also back for a second spell with Italy, while Portugal, Belgium, Croatia and Czechia begin the campaign under Jorge Jesus, Mark van Bommel, Slaven Bilić and Santi Denia respectively. UEFA says Klopp brings more than two decades of club-management experience to his first national-team role, while Xavi arrives with major honours from his playing and coaching career. Zidane returns after his previous spell at Real Madrid, while Mancini's first tenure with Italy included victory at EURO 2020.
The opening fixtures will immediately put several of the new appointments in the spotlight. Klopp and Xavi will face each other when Germany visit the Netherlands on September 24, while Portugal host Wales on the same day. On September 25, Mancini's Italy will face Belgium, led by Van Bommel, while Zidane's France begin against Türkiye. The following day, Bilić's Croatia take on Czechia, while England meet Spain. UEFA's League A schedule shows the first matchday running from September 24 to 26, with the league phase continuing through November 17 before the quarter-finals and promotion/relegation play-offs in March 2027. The Nations League finals are scheduled for June 9 to 13, 2027.
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