Mention ‘France head coach’, our muscle memory will instantly direct us to the unassuming figure of Didier Deschamps. After all, he served his role with distinction for as many as 14 years, leading Les Bleus to heights only a few football heavyweights have scaled.
During a decade of dominance on the World Cup stage, the 57-year-old masterminded the creation of a second star on the royal blue jersey (2018), had a so-near-yet-so-far moment (2022) and signed off with another semifinal appearance (2026).
Deschamps may not have stayed as cool as a cucumber in the phase that preceded his walk into the sunset — France lost to Spain and England in his last two matches in-charge — but he has left a seat which will remain hot. Occupying the spot will be Zinedine Zidane.
THE GIST
THE GIST
Zidane has finally landed his dream job after years of wait, and now has the near-impossible task of bettering or matching his predecessor Deschamps’ outstanding managerial record
Mancini, who was not the first choice, will hope to take Italy back to a stage it ruled quite a few times after hitting an all-time low of not qualifying for the last three World Cups
Klopp too has taken up an ultra-challenging project with Germany nowhere close to being the winning machine it once was, having exited early in each of the last three editions
Portugal — co-host of the next showpiece with five other nations — prepares for the inevitable post-Cristiano Ronaldo era and has handed the keys to veteran Jesus
Bilic — bracing for a second spell with Croatia — will look to steer the team in a new direction after it came close twice to winning the biggest prize of them all
The legendary midfielder has finally landed his dream job after years of wait, and he now has the near-impossible task of bettering or matching his predecessor’s outstanding managerial record. “This is the only job I wanted after my career with Real Madrid (his second stint ended in 2021). I have always looked at this team through the eyes of a future manager,” the 54-year-old said in his first press conference as France chief coach.
Zidane will inherit a richly talented squad that was put together by Deschamps, a master who oversaw multiple transitions in the national team. Excited by the prospect of coaching an “extraordinary” bunch, he began “dreaming” the day he officially took over as the boss.
“I am going to ensure continuity so that the French team keeps winning. But we are going to do things differently. Deschamps is Deschamps, [Laurent] Blanc was Blanc and Zizou (his nickname) is Zizou. I am going to do what I know,” he added.
The French Football Federation would not mind the “changes” one bit if he maintains high standards in a result-based business. The long-term ‘goal’, without a doubt, is to recapture the biggest prize four years from now. “It (the role) is a responsibility. Needless to say, I have high ambitions. On the pitch, I was a leader. Now, I am becoming a leader through my experience.”
Newly appointed Italy head coach Roberto Mancini poses before a press conference in Rome on July 29, 2026. Roberto Mancini has been named the head coach of Italy national team for a second time, tasked with revitalising the Azzurri who have missed out on the last three World Cups, FIGC president said on July 29, 2026.
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AFP
While Zidane will look to build the blocks to bring home the World Cup, Roberto Mancini, another newly appointed manager, would hope to take his side back to a stage it ruled quite a few times. The latter was not the first choice to fill the vacancy in Italy, which has hit an all-time low after having failed to even make it to the last three World Cups. Mancini’s appointment was overshadowed by the board-room saga that highlighted the mess Italian football finds itself in.
Technical director Paolo Maldini handed in his resignation in a flash — he was roped in only two weeks ago — after it became apparent that his top candidate Andrea Pirlo would not be given the reins. During his brief tenure, Maldini even tried his luck with Pep Guardiola and local hero Carlo Ancelotti, the current head coach of the Brazil side.
The FIGC, the sport’s governing body in that country, eventually fell back on Mancini, the tactician who guided the Azzurri to the European championship title in 2021.
His return came as a surprise to some, considering that he had left the Italian role for a spell with Saudi Arabia three years ago. “I am very sorry. I am also sorry for everything that has happened over the last three years,” said Mancini, who has replaced Gennaro Gattuso.
Despite the outside noise, he is determined to “bring Italy back to where it belongs.” “I realise that some people will be against me. I am hoping the squad plays well enough so that people forgive me,” added the 61-year-old. A few would suggest that he is hoping against hope, given Italy’s freefall in the last decade.
Like Mancini, Jurgen Klopp has taken up an ultra-challenging project. Germany is nowhere close to being the winning machine it once was, having exited early in each of the last three editions.
Newly appointed head coach of the German national soccer team Juergen Klopp attends a news conference at the headquarters of the German Football Association DFB in Frankfurt, Germany, Friday, July 24, 2026.
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AP
Klopp, who was on a sabbatical post his Liverpool journey, threw his hat into the ring following the resignation of Julian Nagelsmann. “This is the highlight of my career, and I will give all I have got in order to be successful,” said Klopp. “I am far from perfect. I want to look at the most successful Germany coaches who developed the team.”
In his very first interaction, Klopp sounded a warning to the German media, stressing that he would call it quits if his family was not left in peace. “If you behave badly, I will be gone. I am not doing this job for myself, I am doing this for you. I am taking this job even though I saw how you treated Julian and Thomas Tuchel,” he said.
The pessimists in the media contingent may even silently pray for his downfall, but the 59-year-old will fight all odds during the rebuild to restore Germany’s pride.
Jorge Jesus listens to journalists’ questions after being presented to the media as the new Portugal soccer head coach at the Portuguese Football Federation in Oeiras, outside Lisbon, Friday, July 10, 2026.
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AP
Another team craving for success at the elite level is Portugal, which has given the keys to veteran Jorge Jesus. The man he succeeds, Roberto Martinez, simply could not extract the best out of a squad decorated with talent of the highest order.
As Portugal prepares for the inevitable post-Cristiano Ronaldo era and a World Cup on home soil — it will host the next showpiece with five other nations — Jesus has an opportunity to leave an imprint on the country’s football history.
There is, however, no clarity on when the 41-year-old Ronaldo will bring down the curtain on a stellar international career. “Both of us will have a conversation about what Cristiano wants to do. I know that he wants to keep playing for Al-Nassr. I have not spoken to him yet. As long as he is playing and is in a condition to be selected, I will pick him… there are certain limits and conditions that I consider best for the National team,” Jesus said.
If he manages to stay in the job until the WC, he could well be the oldest chief coach in that edition (at 75 years). Jesus does not have age on his side, but that never stops him from brimming with excitement and passion at work.
“Age does not matter. I am 71 (at the time of speaking, he is 72 now), but I feel like I am 50 years old because I am healthy. I train every day, for an hour or two. It is going to be a tough challenge (emerging victorious in the global event), but I am convinced that we will win.”
Former Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic twice came within touching distance of lifting the coveted trophy despite not having the richest of resources — the European side finished runner-up in 2018 and took home the bronze medal four years later.
Former Croatian international defender Slaven Bilic speaks during a press conference after being appointed Croatia’s national football team head coach, in Zagreb on July 13, 2026. Slaven Bilic who previously coached Croatia between 2006 and 2012, is replacing Zlatko Dalic who resigned after the country’s World Cup exit. The 57-year-old, who also coached English clubs West Ham, West Bromwich Albion and Watford, was “unanimously appointed” as head coach, the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) said.
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AFP
Dalic bid adieu after Croatia was knocked out of the recent WC in the round of 32, making way for Slaven Bilic to steer the team in a new direction. Bilic is bracing for his second spell with the Croatian side, having coached it between 2006 and 2012.
“I am more mature and experienced than I was in 2006. But I have the same motivation and desire to see Croatia stay powerful, bold and successful. I am genuinely happy to start this challenge, and I am fully prepared for it,” Bilic said.
Also beginning a new adventure is Belgium boss Mark van Bommel, who takes over from Rudi Garcia. With Romelu Lukaku likely to be the only man standing from the so-called ‘golden generation’, the former Netherlands player will have many areas to address.
“Belgium has outstanding players and enormous potential. We want to build a team that is disciplined, ambitious and brave enough to compete with the very best,” van Bommel said. Who are among the best in the years to come remains to be seen.
