Zidane waited for France - now can he harness their star power?

What the report says

BBC Sport reports that Zinedine Zidane has been unveiled in Paris as France’s next national team manager, ending a 14-year run under Didier Deschamps. According to the report, Zidane’s appointment had been widely expected after Deschamps said in early 2025 that he would leave following the 2026 World Cup, with discussions between Zidane and French football officials beginning that February.

At his first news conference, Zidane said he had rejected other opportunities over several years because the France role was the one he wanted. The former Real Madrid manager did not set out a detailed tactical plan, saying he first needed to meet the players, but he indicated he would preserve some continuity from Deschamps while also making changes. He avoided committing publicly on Kylian Mbappe’s captaincy, saying discussions could wait until September.

The BBC analysis says Zidane is likely to inherit a strong squad and a more stable environment than Deschamps did when he took charge after the turmoil around France’s 2010 World Cup campaign. The article notes France’s attacking options, including Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue and Michael Olise, and suggests Zidane’s stature as a former Ballon d’Or winner and three-time Champions League-winning coach with Real Madrid may help him manage a high-profile dressing room.

The report also underlines the uncertainty around the appointment: Zidane has not managed for five years and has never led a national team. His four-year contract starts next month, with his coaching staff to be named later. France’s next fixtures are expected to include Nations League matches against Turkey, Belgium and Italy.