The managerial landscape of international football has undergone a major reshuffle following the World Cup in North America, with 17 coaches who took teams to the tournament since leaving their posts.
Several major European nations have also opted for big-name appointments, turning to coaches with extensive club experience and impressive records as they prepare for the new Nations League campaign.
Germany have appointed Jürgen Klopp, the Netherlands have brought in Xavi Hernández, Italy have recalled Roberto Mancini, while France have handed the national team to Zinedine Zidane.
Klopp takes over in Germany
Klopp replaces Julian Nagelsmann after the former Liverpool manager had previously been accused of using his role as a television pundit to criticise his successor.
The appointment marks Klopp’s first job in international football. He has already made clear that he sees the position as the culmination of his coaching career.
“This is the pinnacle, the absolute high point of my footballing career as coach,” Klopp said.
The German will begin his tenure with a trip to the Netherlands. One of the immediate challenges will be adapting his trademark high-intensity style to the rhythms of international football, where coaches have only a handful of opportunities each season to work with their players.
Klopp is expected to bring the aggressive, energetic approach that became his trademark during his years at Liverpool.
Xavi returns to Dutch football’s orbit
The Netherlands have appointed former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández to replace Ronald Koeman.
Xavi has emphasised his connection with Dutch football, pointing to Louis van Gaal, who handed him his Barcelona debut, as well as Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, two figures who heavily influenced his footballing philosophy.
Xavi was reportedly third on the Dutch federation’s shortlist, behind Pep Guardiola and Arne Slot, but has now been given the opportunity to lead the national team.
His first major test will come against Klopp’s Germany in Amsterdam.
“I feel motivated because we are playing against Germany,” Xavi said. “It’s a big challenge from the beginning, but I think we will be ready.”
Mancini returns to Italy
Italy have gone back to a familiar face after another disappointing World Cup cycle.
Following their failure to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, the Italian federation has brought Roberto Mancini back for a second spell in charge, replacing Gennaro Gattuso.
Mancini previously led Italy to European Championship glory in 2021 before the team failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
FIGC president Giovanni Malagò said he believed Mancini was the right choice to lead the rebuilding process.
The return comes after an attempt to appoint former Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo failed because of his commercial links to a Russian betting company.
Mancini’s second tenure will begin with Nations League matches against Belgium and Turkey, giving the coach an immediate test as he attempts to restore Italy to the top level of international football.
Zidane gets his long-awaited France job
For France, the appointment of Zinedine Zidane represents the culmination of years of speculation over his international future.
Zidane succeeds Didier Deschamps, his former France teammate, and takes charge after an exceptionally successful spell at Real Madrid, where he won three Champions League titles as a coach.
The former midfielder described the appointment as a dream come true.
“I’ve been looking forward to this moment,” Zidane said. “The France national team has been the most beautiful thing that has ever happened to me. It’s a great adventure that I hope is just beginning.”
France captain Kylian Mbappé has already described the prospect of working with Zidane as being “like a film”.
The relationship between two of the most recognisable figures in French football will be one of the major storylines of Zidane’s tenure, as he attempts to build on the foundations established by Deschamps.
With Klopp, Xavi, Mancini and Zidane now in charge of four of Europe’s biggest football nations, the new Nations League campaign will offer an early indication of how the high-profile appointments translate from club football into the international game.
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