Zinédine Zidane houdt de controle en wil Mbappé links

From Paris to Izmit, Zinedine Zidane leads the Blues for the first time this Friday evening. The fifty‑four‑year‑old coach wants to play Kylian Mbappé on the left. The French Federation accompanies him with a bodyguard, as during the last World Cup. This staging announces a revolution.

At fifty‑four, the magic still works for the Frenchman, already nicknamed Zizou by the media. His discretion has not dampened the frenzy that surrounds each of his appearances, and the role of coach puts him under a “truly crazy” level of attention. The federation has therefore strengthened his protection, recalling the bodyguard who escorted Mbappé during the World Cup.

A Controlled Communication

Zidane chose a communication different from that of Didier Deschamps. During his first press conference, he limited his answers to the essentials, unlike the long tirades of his predecessor. The list of twenty‑three players was presented in a video narrated by Xavier Giraudon, former Canal+ journalist and new press chief of the Blues.

The arrival of the internationals was filmed by the communication unit of the FFF, in order to control the images broadcast. Individual interviews with the media have disappeared, replaced by mixed zones after training and collective press conferences. This approach aims to re‑sacralise the Clairefontaine castle, more open than under Deschamps.

An Open Training

Zidane allowed the press to attend Tuesday’s training, offering a glimpse of his game plan. His deputy David Bettoni runs the sessions while Zidane watches from the side of the pitch, but intervenes regularly. This visibility contrasts with the reserved sessions of the former management.

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“He hasn’t lost anything,” joked Maxence Lacroix, while Dayot Upamecano smiled in approval. The comment referred to the “very beautiful remains” of the coach, mentioned from the start of his tenure.

The Tactical Plan

Zidane indicated he wants to line up a left‑to‑right trio consisting of Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Amine Olise, the latter two occupying the same position as at club. The captain will find his preferred zone in the centre. “He can play in all three positions, he said it himself. I, for example, like him a lot on the left,” said the coach.

Jonathan Lange, editor‑in‑chief of Les Sports+, highlighted that “the Zinedine Zidane revolution has begun”. In the context of the Football Nations League, Zizou quickly left his mark on the Blues, marking a tactical and human turning point. The Federation has thus bet on man‑management and a new strategy.

Zidane turned down a return to Real to stay loyal to the Blues

In summary, the transition from Didier Deschamps to Zinedine Zidane translates into controlled communication, increased visibility and a game plan where Mbappé occupies the left flank. This duality between tradition and innovation reveals the scope of the announced revolution.