In modern club football, there is rarely a safer option than appointing Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian coach once helped Everton reach a new level, and at the national team level, his coaching of Brazil is considered an almost perfect decision.
However, the 2026 World Cup brought the opposite outcome. Brazil, one of the championship candidates, unexpectedly stopped in the round of 16 against Norway. Ancelotti is also not the only famous coach to disappoint.
Mauricio Pochettino's US team lost heavily to Belgium 1-4 in the round of 16, and Thomas Tuchel could not help England make a difference in the semi-finals. The German strategist, who is famous for his ability to adjust tactics, ultimately only knew how to use long passes towards Dan Burn in the role of a forced striker.
Contrary to expectations of a tournament for top coaches, the World Cup final is a showdown between Luis de la Fuente and Lionel Scaloni, two coaches who have almost no experience leading at club level. This shows that success in the national team does not necessarily have to be associated with a massive club-level record.
In that context, the appointment of Zinedine Zidane and Jurgen Klopp by the French and German teams respectively attracted even more attention. Klopp is still one of the most famous coaches in the world, while Zidane has been away from the coaching bench for 5 years and only has experience at Real Madrid.
However, it is not easy to assert that Klopp is a superior choice. The German strategist has repeatedly admitted to being eroded by work pressure, while Zidane always creates a sense of calmness and control. The former Real Madrid coach's achievements are also often underestimated in an incomprehensible way, even though he has won two La Liga titles and three Champions League titles in a row.
Zidane himself does not consider himself an excellent coach in tactics. However, his greatest strength lies in his ability to manage the dressing room, especially with teams that gather many stars. Sergio Ramos once praised Zidane as someone who knows how to skillfully handle big personalities, while Cristiano Ronaldo assessed him as very good at creating motivation and helping every player feel their role in the team.
Klopp may be a more comprehensive coach thanks to his experience and illustrious career. However, it would not be too surprising if Zidane continues to surpass him as he did in the 2018 Champions League final. The challenge for Klopp is also more difficult as the German national team is in a transitional period and the talent pool is no longer as abundant as before.
However, it is also possible that in 2 years, the European championship will not belong to Zidane, Klopp or Tuchel. Luis de la Fuente's Spanish team is still the brightest candidate, and their success shows a reality: a strong team is often the product of an efficient football system, instead of just relying on the coach's reputation.
Big names that are always attractive to football federations are looking for immediate solutions. But instead of entering the era of superstar coaches, international football is probably shifting to a period when experts who understand the system and national identity are the decisive factors for success.
