Zidane faces first communication expectations with the Blues

In the press room of the Parc des Princes, the new manager Zinédine Zidane briefly answers questions, while the Bleus await his next words. The first weeks have installed a form of indulgence, the context naturally offering time, but observers are already beginning to scrutinize his way of occupying the role.

Expectations from the first mandate

New manager, new ideas, new players: the context has naturally offered time to Zinédine Zidane. The first weeks at the helm of the France national team have installed a form of indulgence. But a first expectation is already beginning to emerge around his way of occupying the role.

Zidane has already been confronted these last days with his first public criticisms since taking office. These remarks focus less on results than on his very controlled communication style.

Vincent Duluc, in his column for L’Équipe, reminds that a manager cannot only answer with results. He must also take part in the public debate, the France national team having a particular dimension and symbolically belonging to everyone.

The journalist expects a meeting or an interview where Zidane would agree to “open up a little more”. So it is not his sporting work that is directly targeted, but the way he communicates.

From his first press conferences, the former Real Madrid coach displayed a very measured speech, with often brief answers. This scarcity of speech, usual for Zidane, is questioned in the role of manager, where matches are fewer and expectations between two gatherings are stronger.

His first choices, such as the positioning of Ousmane Dembélé on the wing or the reflection on the captaincy behind Kylian Mbappé, have already sparked heated debates. It remains to be seen if Zidane will feed these discussions more himself.