UEFA Nations League: Zinédine Zidane, Roberto Mancini and Mark van Bommel make first impressions

There are fresh ambitions for all, and new coaches for some, as the UEFA Nations League returns for the 2026/27 edition.

After summer appointments Jürgen Klopp, Xavi Hernández and Jorge Jesus made their entrance on Thursday 24 September, it's the turn of Zinédine Zidane, Roberto Mancini and Mark van Bommel on Friday before Slaven Bilić and Santi Denia take the stage on Saturday.

France: Zinédine Zidane

One of the most celebrated French players of all time, 'Zizou' knows a thing or two about success at international level. Zidane scored twice in the final as France won the 1998 World Cup and was a key player once more in their EURO 2000 success two years later.

Zidane's transition to coaching proved as seamless as his play, leading Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles after taking charge in 2016. He left Madrid in the summer of 2018 but returned for a second spell – his most recent position – between 2019 and 2021 and won another Spanish league title.

First match: Türkiye vs France (25/09/2026)

Italy: Roberto Mancini

Roberto Mancini delivered European glory to Italy at UEFA EURO 2020Getty Images

Architect of Italy's UEFA EURO 2020 success, Mancini returns for a second spell with hopes of bringing further glory to the Azzurri. Before embarking on his successful managerial career in 2001, Mancini made 36 appearances for his national team, most notably four as Italy made the semi-finals at UEFA EURO 1998.

Mancini has won league titles in England, Italy and Qatar as a coach and led Italy to a third-place finish in both the 2020/21 and 2022/23 UEFA Nations League during his first spell (2018-2023). He will have fond memories of first opponents Belgium, whom he defeated in the quarter-finals at EURO 2020.

First match: Italy vs Belgium (25/09/2026)

Belgium: Mark van Bommel

Former Netherlands midfielder Van Bommel accumulated 79 international appearances between 2000 and 2012, including 16 as captain, and was part of the side that reached the World Cup final in 2010. In a club career that spanned Fortuna Sittard, PSV, Barcelona, Bayern München and Milan, Van Bommel won league titles in four countries and one Champions League.

The 49-year-old has head coaching experience at club level, leading PSV, Wolfsburg and Royal Antwerp between 2018 and 2024, but this is his first such role in international football after serving as an assistant in Australia and Saudi Arabia.

First match: Italy vs Belgium (25/09/2026)

Croatia: Slaven Bilić

Slaven Bilić during a Croatia training session in 2012Getty Images

Like Italy and Roberto Mancini, Croatia and Slaven Bilić are beginning on a second journey together. Bilić, who made 44 Croatia appearances in his playing days, took charge of 65 games as head coach between 2006 and 2012 and lost just eight.

Bilić has coached clubs including Beşiktaş, West Ham and West Brom in 14 intervening years, his most recent posting with Saudi Arabia's Al-Fateh concluding in August 2024.

First match: Czechia vs Croatia (26/09/2026)

Czechia: Santi Denia

Like current Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente, Santi Denia built his reputation by achieving success with Spain's youth teams. Denia orchestrated an UEFA Under-17 EURO success in 2017 and an Under-19 triumph two years later before his crowning achievement in 2024 – guiding Spain to Olympic gold in Paris.

Denia spent the entirety of his playing career in Spain, making over 100 Albacete appearances and nearly 300 for Atleti, and earned two senior international caps. His third match in charge of Czechia will seem him travel to Oviedo to face Spain.

First match: Czechia vs Croatia (26/09/2026)