“Is today, Tuesday, 28 July, the greatest day of your coaching career?”
Zinedine Zidane’s unequivocal “Yes” carried the same resonance as that of a groom’s “I do” on his wedding day. In front of more than 100 journalists who had descended on the French Football Association’s headquarters for the national treasure’s unveiling as Les Bleus’ head coach, Zizou made no attempt to disguise exactly what this most significant of appointments means to him.
During the press conference, the 1998 FIFA World Cup™ winner revealed that he had been waiting for this coveted gig for nearly five years, and his excitement was plain for all to see as he spoke to the world’s news outlets. “During the five years since I was last in the dugout, I received several offers, and I turned them all down for the France job,” he declared.
“I spent those five years waiting for this day, and I’m now here, so it’s impossible for me not to well up a bit. After my time at Real Madrid, the head coach role with France was the only one I was interested in. My first experience of the national-team set-up came when I was a young lad. I represented the U-15s before working my way up the ranks until I reached the senior side, which is the pinnacle. I can’t put this into words, [but] once you’ve had a taste of it… Winning the 1998 World Cup is the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Normally a reserved figure in front of the media glare, Zidane was uncharacteristically open as he reflected on his new role. “I’m over the moon,” he beamed. “In some ways, this is a dream come true. I’m managing to keep it all in, but I’m overflowing with emotions. I’m ready for this challenge.”
Before turning his attention to the first training camp of his reign in September, the former Real Madrid schemer paid tribute to his friend and predecessor Didier Deschamps, who officially stepped down on 18 July after 14 years in charge.
“I’d like to congratulate Didier and all his staff on a remarkable 14 years,” gushed Zidane. “I just want to say to him: ‘Well done for everything you’ve achieved. Everyone’s grateful for the job you did.’ This is the start of a new chapter, with different staff and people involved, but the objective remains the same: for France to win.”
On the back of a glittering era under Deschamps, French supporters will get their first glimpse of the Zidane regime in September. The Marseille-born tactician is set to begin his reign with a quartet of UEFA Nations League fixtures – against Türkiye, Belgium (twice) and Italy. Those encounters should give the erstwhile mastermind an early chance to make his mark on the squad, particularly as he will have three weeks to work with his charges, rather than the ten or so days that the upcoming window had previously lasted. “To have them for three weeks is fantastic,” he said. “I can’t wait to get started.”
Although Zidane shared that he has already been hard at work preparing for the team’s four fixtures between 25 September and 5 October, he stopped short of revealing too much about the blueprint he intends to introduce.
“You’ll soon see the style of football we want to play,” he promised. “We’ll have the chance to talk about my game plan and philosophy in detail in September. One thing I will say is that I love to play attractive football. I was a number 10, and my coaching style is all about driving forward and scoring goals, while obviously ensuring that there’s a good balance to the side.”
Speaking at yesterday’s unveiling, French FA chief Philippe Diallo noted that Zidane’s winning mentality had weighed heavily in the decision to appoint him. “In the discussions we had and when we were mapping things out, he said to me: ‘President, I know how to win.’ That’s what clinched it for him,” Diallo revealed of the man who oversaw three triumphant UEFA Champions League campaigns in the Real Madrid hotseat and is one of the most decorated figures in the history of the game.
“I can’t tell you how we’re going to win in just a few words,” Zizou smiled. “However, what I do know is that we already have the ingredients in place. We have some extraordinary players and an outstanding team, which is no small thing. I need to bed in, get among the players and explain our playing philosophy and what we’re aiming to achieve together.”
One major takeaway from Zidane’s maiden presser is that the playing style will represent a departure from the one implemented by his predecessor. “We’ll be going about things in a different way,” he insisted. “Didier is Didier. Laurent Blanc was Laurent Blanc and Zizou is Zizou. I’ll be looking do what I know best, but it won’t be a case of ripping things up and starting again. The goal is to ensure that everything is in place so that the French national team continue to be a winning side.”
Les Bleus produced flashes of brilliance at this year’s global showpiece, where they claimed a fourth-place finish. Under Zidane, the French faithful will be hoping to rekindle their love affair with the national team on a more sustained basis. The former playmaker certainly boasts all of the credentials to get supporters falling head over heels with the crème de la crème of French football. Having vowed his commitment to the cause by uttering a massively convincing “I do”, it is now time to put any talk of a honeymoon period to one side and prove that Zizou and France really are a match made in heaven.
Sources: FIFA Official
