Zidane scares off the spotlights: no catwalk, no hairdresser for Les Bleus

While the French national team used to arrive on a blue catwalk, surrounded by photographers and a buzzing media‑programme, the new head coach Zinédine Zidane has abruptly abolished these theatrical elements. In the same period he also denied access to personal hairdressers, meaning the players now have to find their focus on the pitch without any shine‑moments.

New rules in Clairefontaine

Previously a red carpet was laid out for every international break, allowing the Les Bleus players to experience a fashion show that was even highlighted in Nations League‑reports. Zidane removed the carpet, banned the photographers and set up a strict programme whereby only the French federation itself may distribute images. Individual interviews during the stay have also been scrapped; press conferences now take place without international assistants.

Focus on football, not on glitter

Zidane emphasized that he is not advocating austerity, but that everyone is welcome as he wishes, without the frill of a catwalk. His philosophy, which he once applied as a superstar in football, is now being implemented in other sports such as tennis and Formula 1, according to the overview that includes Football, Cycling, Tennis, Formula 1, Basketball and Athletics. The same overview lists the Jupiler Pro League, Challenger Pro League, Champions League, Europa League and Conference League as main points.

Olise disappoints France despite the assist against Turkey

The first squad under Zidane shows a tactical shift: Mbappé again plays from the left, Dembélé centrally and Olise on the right, allowing their individual qualities to shine more. Zidane calls them “extraordinary players” and wants to turn a collection of star players into a close‑knit unit, without the “stardust” he himself has embraced for too long.

On the pitch France recently secured a 0‑1 victory against Turkey, but the match was sloppy and hesitant, with a lot of ball loss in the first half. L’Équipe labelled it a “difficult debut” for Zidane, who still has a lot of work to do to make his quiet revolution succeed.

Zinédine Zidane criticised for sending Mbappé to the left wing

The abolition of the catwalk and the hairdresser is a visible sign of Zidane’s aim for less theatre and more serenity around the stars. It is a step that fits within the same philosophy he previously applied in his own career: less show, more football.