{
  "id": 8904020,
  "title": "UEFA Nations League: Klopp, Zidane, Xavi, Mancini, four other new coaches to watch",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/uefa-nations-league-klopp-zidane-xavi-mancini-four-other-new-coaches",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-21T11:02:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/uefa-nations-league-klopp-zidane-xavi-mancini-four-other-new-coaches-to-watch/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The 2026/27 UEFA Nations League will introduce a familiar lineup of star athletes and competitive rivalries, alongside a fresh batch of high-profile coaches beginning their new roles. Among the notable additions are Jürgen Klopp, who will take charge of Germany, Xavi Hernández guiding the Netherlands, Zinédine Zidane at the helm of France, and Roberto Mancini returning for a second term with Italy. Portugal, Belgium, Croatia, and Czechia will also kick off the League A season with new coaches. UEFA highlighted the eight summer appointments ahead of the opening matchday, scheduled for Thursday, September 24, 2026.",
  "summary": "Several high-profile managers including Jürgen Klopp, Zinédine Zidane, and Xavi Hernández are set to make their debuts in the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League. Read More: https://punchng.com/uefa-nations-league-klopp-zidane-xavi-mancini-four-other-new-coaches-to-watch/",
  "key_points": [
    "Jürgen Klopp to coach Germany in UEFA Nations League",
    "Xavi Hernández appointed to guide Netherlands",
    "Zinédine Zidane to lead France in new coaching lineup"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Republic of Ireland braced for testing Nations League",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/republic-of-ireland-braced-for-testing-nations-league",
        "published": "2026-09-21T06:36:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DutchNews",
        "title": "Meerdink and Til added to Oranje Nations League squad",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/meerdink-and-til-added-to-oranje-nations-league-squad",
        "published": "2026-09-21T07:18:46.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "How does the Nations League work and who is in each league?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/how-does-the-nations-league-work-and-who-is-in-each-league",
        "published": "2026-09-21T09:16:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "UEFA Nations League: Klopp, Zidane, Xavi, Mancini, four other new coaches to watch",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/uefa-nations-league-klopp-zidane-xavi-mancini-four-other-new-coaches-8907656",
        "published": "2026-09-21T11:24:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "New-look Netherlands will play with intensity in Nations League, says Xavi",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/new-look-netherlands-will-play-with-intensity-in-nations-league-says",
        "published": "2026-09-21T12:07:47.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}