Soccer
Who are the big-name managers stepping into the international fold after the World Cup?
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The World Cup final was less than two weeks ago, but the international football scene has quickly moved on after the tournament in North America.
Since the final ball was kicked at the 2026 finals, 17 of the 48 teams involved have parted ways with the manager who led them into the competition as nations now begin a new cycle for the national teams.
On the horizon for the European teams is the Nations League and then Euro 2028, hosted in the UK, and there's been no waiting around in moving on to the next name to lead their country's side.
What makes the next chapter even more exciting is the gravitas of the managers who have stepped into the international fold, where we're now seeing some of the world's elite names leading their nations.
DAZN/FIFAWhich managers have departed after the World Cup?
- Didier Deschamps (France)
- Roberto Martínez (Portugal)
- Zlatko Dalić (Croatia)
- Javier Aguirre (México)
- Ronald Koeman (Netherlands)
- Sebastián Beccacece (Ecuador)
- Marcelo Bielsa (Uruguay)
- Steve Clarke (Scotland)
- Hong Myung-bo (South Korea)
- Sabri Lamouchi (Tunisia)
- Miroslav Koubek (Czechia)
- Pape Thiaw (Senegal)
- Rudi Garcia (Belgium)
- Carlos Queiroz (Ghana)
- Jamal Sellami (Jordan)
- Vladimir Petković (Algeria)
- Julian Nagelsmann (Germany)
Who are the new international managers after the World Cup?
There is always a cleansing after a major tournament, when teams look to move on to the next period of international football and contracts come to a natural end for those in charge.
Yet, the turnaround since Spain's triumph has been quicker than ever, as nations really look to leave what happened Stateside behind and look to the future with a new name at the helm.
For some, it's been the chance to reboot after a disappointing showing at the World Cup, and no team is a better example of that than Germany.
Dumped out of the competition in the Round of 32 by Paraguay, they've been quick to wish Julian Nagelsmann the best in his future endeavours and managed to convince Jurgen Klopp to come out of retirement to take the national team job.
It's a huge coup for the country, who go into the new qualifying campaign with one of the game's elite coaches, who has time to whip them into shape ahead of Euro 2028. Although the Liverpool legend has already warned the fans and media, he won't put up with any undue criticism that comes his way or affects his family.
(C)Getty Images
The Netherlands are another who exited the tournament without really making an impression. They have parted ways with Ronald Koeman, and although no replacement has been confirmed, the early favourites include Arne Slot, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Michael Reiziger.
France, on the other hand, have changed bosses to begin a new era. Didier Deschamps ended his 12-year stint as manager with a fourth-place finish at the 2026 finals, having taken his country to three major finals, including winning the 2018 World Cup.
It's a tough act to follow, but that won't bother the new manager because he's been there and done that. Zinedine Zidane is back in the dugout and will take over from his former France teammate as his country's new coach.
Given what he achieved in a very short space at Real Madrid, it will be a massive boost for the national team and an ominous thought ahead of Euro 2028.
Other new names include Croatia saying goodbye to Zlatko Dalić after a nine-year stint and bringing back Slavan Bilic, while 2010 finalist Marc van Bommel is the new man in charge of Belgium.
Not learning a lesson?
What's most interesting is that clubs haven't taken heed of the profiles of the two managers who led their respective teams to the 2026 final.
In Lionel Scaloni and Luis de la Fuente, Argentina and Spain had two managers who were not the biggest names when appointed to their posts.
Instead, both came from within the international set-up, having coached at youth level and then trusted to continue the pathway to the senior squad.
The result? Well, you're looking at the last two World Cup-winning managers, so there must be some credence to the approach from each FA.
Yet, so far, the major nations have honed in on big names as they look to turn around their fortunes or begin a new era for their national team.
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