Zinedine Zidane France will be introducing a new chapter in the UEFA Nations League as the French captain assumes command of the Les Bleus for the first time against Turkey on Friday. The 54-year-old succeeds Didier Deschamps who had spent 14 years in charge of the France side. Zidane had built a successful track record as a coach at Real Madrid, and had waited for years to coach his homeland.
As a player, Zidane was a French football icon, and he helped the national team win the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the Euro 2000, marking one of the greatest spells in his history. His international career came to a controversial end facing Italy in the 2006 World Cup final when he was sent off for headbutting Marco Materazzi.
Before retiring from playing, Zidane has made 108 appearances for France. He was subsequently transferred to a managerial position and made his mark at Real Madrid, who won three Champions League titles in a row from 2016 to 2018.
Zidane left the Spanish giants in 2021, and he stayed out of the management and looked for the chance to lead France. That July was the time when it came time. During his unveiling in Paris, Zidane said that he had been waiting several years for the opportunity, and that he felt it was a very emotional moment to take charge of France.
France star Kylian Mbappe was among those who got excited about the new era in the transfer window, announcing the change publicly. Zidane has already stated that the supporters will see an attacking strategy from him. He emphasised the need for balance but added that playing attractive football is what inspires him and he also has an idea that France have the players to go with this approach.
He has brought in some new blood to his team, and will most likely be making a tactical change straight from the off, as Zidane starts his long-awaited spell as the head coach of the national team.
