Zinedine Zidane has officially taken the reins as head coach of the France national team, succeeding Didier Deschamps after a remarkable 14-year tenure. Deschamps led Les Bleus to consecutive World Cup finals, winning in 2018 and reaching the final in 2022, a legacy that includes a shared 1998 World Cup triumph with Zidane as players on home soil.
Zidane, who has reportedly been anticipating this role for five years, has wasted no time in implementing significant changes, particularly concerning the team’s media interactions. His new protocols aim to shield players from intense scrutiny, marking a distinct shift from the previous era.
New media protocols at Clairefontaine
One of the most notable immediate changes under Zidane’s leadership is the ban on cameras filming players as they arrive at France’s Clairefontaine facility. This tradition, which often saw players’ striking outfits spark widespread media discussions, has been curtailed to foster a more private environment for the squad.
The announcement of Zidane’s first squad list will also see a new approach. It is set to take place at the French Football Federation (FFF) headquarters without cameras present. The press conference accompanying the announcement will be broadcast exclusively through the FFF’s official communication channels, with the federation providing footage directly to media outlets.
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As AS reported on Zidane’s new rules: “The first change concerns the announcement of his first squad list. It will take place at the French Football Federation headquarters, but without cameras. The press conference will be broadcast only through the FFF’s communication channels. Another change introduced by Zidane is the elimination of the massive media presence outside Clairefontaine to cover and broadcast the arrival of the French national team players at their residence. This was quite an event, as many players arrived dressed in outfits that sparked lengthy debates in the media.”
While arrivals will be more private, reporters are expected to gain increased access to players in mixed zones once the training camp commences, potentially offering more direct interaction than during the Deschamps era. However, Zidane himself will maintain a guarded approach, consistent with his career. He will not grant any interviews during this first international window of the season, though he is scheduled to sit before the media eight times between September 18 (squad announcement) and October 5 (match against Belgium).
Zidane’s pedigree and upcoming fixtures
Zidane brings an impressive managerial pedigree to the national team, having enjoyed two successful spells as Real Madrid boss, in addition to managing their Castilla team. During his time at the helm of Real Madrid, he secured two La Liga titles and famously led the club to three consecutive Champions League victories between 2016 and 2018.
France’s first competitive matches under Zidane will be in the Nations League. His debut will be an away trip to Turkey next Thursday. Les Bleus will also face Belgium away, and then play Italy and Belgium at home before players return to their clubs in October.
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