French football is entering a new chapter as Zinedine Zidane takes over as coach, replacing Didier Deschamps after his 14-year reign. Zidane, a legendary French player, will lead the team for the first time in a UEFA Nations League match against Turkey. The 54-year-old is widely regarded as one of the greatest French players of all time, known for his exceptional ball control and playmaking skills.
Zidane's appointment was met with excitement from fans and players alike, with Kylian Mbappe welcoming him on Instagram. The new coach has promised to bring an attacking style to the team, which has been lacking in recent years. Deschamps' side was often criticized for being too defensive, but Zidane believes he has the players to play more offensively. He announced his first squad, which includes several new faces and Mbappe as captain.
Zidane's squad features some notable inclusions and exclusions. Centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, who has impressed at Liverpool, has been called up, while midfielder Lucas Da Cunha from Como and Esteban Lepaul from Rennes have also been included. However, injured Arsenal defender William Saliba and Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni are absent. Zidane's assistant coach will be David Bettoni, who worked with him at Real Madrid, and Fabien Barthez will be the goalkeeping coach.
The new coach has high-profile objectives, including Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup in Morocco, Spain, and Portugal. Deschamps set a high standard, with France reaching at least the semi-finals in five of the last six major tournaments. However, Zidane's first major test will be the Nations League, which provides an opportunity to fine-tune his team without the pressure of a major tournament.
Zidane's first match in charge will be against Turkey, followed by games against Belgium and Italy. The Italy match, in particular, will hold memories for Zidane, who infamously headbutted Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final. The new coach is eager to make an impact and prove himself as a capable successor to Deschamps.
Zidane's playing career was marked by success, including winning the Champions League three times with Real Madrid. He also had a storied playing career with Juventus and Marseille before moving abroad at 24. As a coach, he has experience leading Real Madrid to Champions League titles and will look to replicate that success with France.
The French team has shown promise in recent tournaments, with Mbappe being the top scorer in the recent World Cup. The team will look to build on that momentum under Zidane's guidance. With his appointment, fans are optimistic about the future of French football, and Zidane will look to deliver on his promise of an attacking style of play.
Key points
- Zidane's first match as France coach will be in the UEFA Nations League against Turkey.
- The new coach has promised to bring an attacking style to the team.
- Zidane's squad includes several new faces and Mbappe as captain.
