Zinedine Zidane, widely regarded as one of France's all-time great players, will lead the national team for the first time in a UEFA Nations League match against Turkey. The 54-year-old former international footballer was appointed as the successor to Didier Deschamps, who had a 14-year reign as coach of Les Bleus. Zidane's appointment was widely anticipated, and he expressed his excitement and emotion at taking over the team.
Zidane's playing career was marked by his majestic playmaking skills and balletic ball control. He played for France 108 times, scoring 31 goals, and was a key player in the team's World Cup win in 1998 and Euro 2000. However, his international career ended in controversy with a headbutt on Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final. Zidane has since gone on to enjoy a successful coaching career, winning the Champions League three times with Real Madrid between 2016 and 2018.
Zidane's first squad announcement included several new faces, and he confirmed Kylian Mbappe as captain. The team is expected to be more attack-minded under Zidane's leadership, with the coach emphasizing the importance of playing good football. Mbappe, who was the top scorer in the recent World Cup, is one of the key players in Zidane's squad, along with Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise.
Zidane's assistant coach will be David Bettoni, who worked with him at Real Madrid, and Fabien Barthez, who won the World Cup with Zidane, will be the goalkeeping coach. The new coach has a busy schedule ahead, with matches against Turkey, Belgium, and Italy in the UEFA Nations League. The first major objective for Zidane will be Euro 2028 in the UK and Ireland, before the World Cup in Morocco, Spain, and Portugal in 2030.
Deschamps had set a high standard for the team, with France reaching at least the semi-finals in five of the last six major tournaments. Zidane will face a tough test in the Nations League, but he will not have the pressure of a major tournament. The team's home match against Italy on October 2 will be a significant occasion, given Zidane's history with the Italian team.
Zidane's appointment has been welcomed by the French football community, with Kylian Mbappe posting a message on Instagram saying "Welcome home." The new coach has expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to manage the team and has promised to bring an exciting brand of football to the team. With his experience and success as a player and coach, Zidane is well-equipped to lead France to future success.
The French team has a talented young squad, with several new faces in Zidane's first squad announcement. Centre-back Jeremy Jacquet and midfielder Lucas Da Cunha are among the new players who have been called up, while Esteban Lepaul has been rewarded for his impressive form in Ligue 1. With Zidane at the helm, France will look to build on their recent successes and establish themselves as a dominant force in international football.
Key points
- Zidane's first match as France coach will be a UEFA Nations League tie against Turkey.
- The new coach has promised to bring an exciting brand of football to the team.
- Zidane's long-term goals include Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup.
