Zidane Takes France Reins
Zinedine Zidane begins his tenure as France coach with a training session ahead of Turkey match.
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Key Points
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Zidane said he had been waiting four or five years for the opportunity to coach France, describing his appointment as an emotional and personally significant moment: “I am filled with emotion, I am really excited. I am happy. This is huge for me.”
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The new coach’s credentials extend beyond his celebrated playing career: during two spells managing Real Madrid, Zidane won the Champions League three consecutive times from 2016 to 2018.
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Dayot Upamecano said players enjoyed Zidane’s first session and welcomed the new arrivals, adding that the squad had grown up admiring him and that learning from him was a pleasure.
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Zidane eliminated the traditional welcome procession for players arriving at Clairefontaine, while the national team’s medical staff now coordinate injury assessments directly with players’ clubs rather than requiring injured players to report to the training centre.
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Kylian Mbappe publicly welcomed Zidane’s appointment with the message “Welcome home” on Instagram, underscoring the symbolic importance of the former France star’s return to the national setup.
Zinedine Zidane has officially begun his tenure as France's head coach, taking over from Didier Deschamps after waiting four or five years for the opportunity. Washington Post reported that Zidane said he was "filled with emotion" and that the appointment was "huge" for him. His first training session at Clairefontaine introduced immediate changes: a scrapped welcome procession and revised injury procedures that now let clubs handle assessments directly rather than requiring players to report to camp.
The legendary former midfielder and three-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid faces his debut test against Turkey in a Nations League clash, despite the visitors missing key playmakers Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Kenan Yıldız. Players like Dayot Upamecano praised the opening session as positive, calling it a pleasure to learn from a man they admired growing up. Kylian Mbappé welcomed Zidane's appointment with an Instagram post reading "Welcome home."
A Legend Returns to Lead Les Bleus
Zidane's appointment marks the end of Deschamps' 12-year reign and a symbolic full-circle moment for French football. The new coach spent two decades as a national team icon, winning the 1998 World Cup at home and captaining his country to the 2006 final. His club pedigree is equally impressive: he guided Real Madrid to back-to-back-to-back Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018, establishing himself as one of football's greatest modern tacticians.
Seattle Pi confirmed Zidane included 26-year-old striker Esteban Lepaul in his initial squad. Lepaul's call-up represents a fresh start for the squad, with younger talent mixing alongside established stars. Zidane's hands-on coaching style was evident immediately, with observers noting he actively involved himself in drills and directly fed passes to attackers during the first session.
Overhauling Routines at Clairefontaine Training Base
Zidane wasted no time reshaping how France operates at its national team base. He eliminated the traditional welcome procession that greeted players upon arrival, signaling a shift toward a more efficient, no-frills environment. The medical setup also changed: injured players no longer travel to Clairefontaine for assessments. Instead, the national team's doctors now coordinate directly with club physicians, streamlining the process and keeping players at their clubs longer.
These structural changes hint at a broader tactical shift. Deschamps favored pragmatic, defensive football. Zidane is expected to push France toward a more attack-minded style that mirrors his playing philosophy—direct, creative, and focused on possession-based attacking play. The squad has grown up watching his masterclass performances and appears eager to embrace his methods.
Turkey Poses an Immediate Test Without Star Playmakers
France's Nations League opener against Turkey at home will be Zidane's baptism by fire. Turkey brings quality and intensity, though the visitors will miss two creative forces: midfielder Hakan Çalhanoğlu and winger Kenan Yıldız. Despite those absences, Zidane knows a hostile environment and a confident opponent demand respect on day one.
Defender Maxence Lacroix told reporters that working with Zidane was "a privilege rather than a source of pressure." That mindset—respect mixed with confidence—will define whether Zidane can quickly build a new France identity. The first 90 minutes will offer early clues about whether his reputation and tactical vision can translate immediately to international football.
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