{
  "id": 9064273,
  "title": "Star coaches make their bows as Nations League returns",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/star-coaches-make-their-bows-as-nations-league-returns-9064273",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-22T02:28:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/09/22/star-coaches-make-their-bows-as-nations-league-returns"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The 2026/27 Nations League commences on Thursday, drawing attention to the touchlines as a roster of high-profile new coaches prepare to make their international debuts. Jurgen Klopp, the former Liverpool manager, and Zinedine Zidane, the three-time Champions League-winning France legend, headline the coaching changes.\n\nZidane, who succeeded Didier Deschamps as France's head coach, is set to lead Les Bleus in their first matches against Turkey and Belgium, followed by an encounter with Italy at the Stade de France. France fans are eagerly awaiting Klopp's appointment as Germany's coach, with the charismatic 59-year-old revealing that this role is his professional career's high point.\n\nOther notable coaches joining the Nations League fold include Jorge Jesus, who will lead Portugal against Wales, Xavi Hernandez replacing Ronald Koeman as the Netherlands' coach, Roberto Mancini returning to manage Italy after their Euro 2020 triumph, and Mark van Bommel overseeing Belgium's match against Italy. Slaven Bilic will return to coach Croatia for the second time.\n\nSpain's World Cup and European Championship-winning coach Luis de la Fuente, however, remains in charge of his world champions, set to begin their pursuit of a second Nations League title with a match against England at Wembley.",
  "summary": "World Cup cycles often bring new coaches, but the 2026 cycle has seen an unusually high turnover, with 10 European nations appointing new coaches.",
  "key_points": [
    "Jurgen Klopp and Zinedine Zidane debut as high-profile coaches",
    "Jorge Jesus leads Portugal against Wales in Nations League",
    "Spain's Luis de la Fuente retains World Cup-winning coach role"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The influx of high-profile coaches, including Klopp and Zidane, signals a new era for several top national teams, bringing fresh expectations and attention to the Nations League.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Star coaches make their bows as Nations League returns",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/star-coaches-make-their-bows-as-nations-league-returns",
        "published": "2026-09-22T01:31:08.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Star coaches make their bows as Nations League returns",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/star-coaches-make-their-bows-as-nations-league-returns-9067606",
        "published": "2026-09-22T02:28:44.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}