Zidane Takes Helm of French National Team Amidst 'Zidanemania'
Legendary player Zinedine Zidane returns to manage the French national football team, sparking widespread enthusiasm and high expectations.
The French national football team is experiencing what L’Equipe has dubbed ‘Zidanemania’ as Zinedine Zidane takes charge as its new manager. This fervor significantly overshadows other public events, including a planned vigil by Pope Leo XIV at the Stade de France. Zidane's return marks a significant moment for Les Bleus, with his first match away against Turkey, broadcast on France's main TF1 network.
Tickets for Zidane's first two home games at the Stade de France against Italy and Belgium sold out in record time, reflecting the intense public interest in the legendary player's managerial debut.
Zidane, a revered figure from France's 1998 World Cup and 2000 Euros winning squads, has sought to streamline the national team's setup. He has implemented measures such as banning media from observing his players' arrival at training, a departure from the more elaborate pre-training rituals under his predecessor, Didier Deschamps. Despite these efforts to reduce the 'showbiz' element, Zidane himself remains a colossal celebrity, drawing crowds simply to glimpse him entering and leaving the French Football Federation (FFF) offices. Fans have gathered, expressing their adoration with chants and interactions.
His first day on the training pitch with the players was met with symbolic sunshine, as described by L’Equipe columnist Vincent Duluc, who noted the mix of nostalgia and a new era. Zidane, who last appeared in the national team colors after the 2006 World Cup, arrived for his first session and convened with his assistants, David Bettoni and Fabien Barthez. Bettoni, a former player who coached alongside Zidane at Real Madrid, led the training session, with Zidane actively participating and encouraging precision and pace.
Zidane's coaching staff includes loyalists from his playing days, such as David Bettoni and Fabien Barthez, who serves as goalkeeping coach. The team's scouting network has also identified emerging talents, with surprise call-ups for Bournemouth's Adrien Truffert and Como's Lucas Da Cunha. While commercial partners like EDF and Nike express optimism about the 'ZZ Effect,' the ultimate measure of success will be results.
Despite his immense popularity, Zidane faces significant expectations. He inherits a team that, while talented, has shown psychological fragility, as evidenced by their quarter-final exit from a recent tournament. Zidane's managerial experience is limited to his tenure at Real Madrid, and the task of elevating the French team to the level of reigning world champions presents a substantial challenge. His ability to extract maximum performance from an attacking lineup featuring Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise will be crucial. Notable omissions from his first squad include Aurelien Tchouameni, who is returning from injury.
At the Clairefontaine training base, Zidane is constantly reminded of his past glories, including the replica World Cup trophy he helped secure. The current atmosphere is compared to the euphoric 'golden summer' of 1998, with Zidane himself being the central figure. However, moving beyond nostalgic affection, the focus will remain on results and whether Zidane can guide France back to the pinnacle of international football.