Zinedine Zidane to limit media access as he prepares to name first France squad

Zinedine Zidane will announce his first France squad on Friday before the national team begins its training camp during the international break.

Zidane was appointed France manager after Didier Deschamps left the role following the end of the World Cup. Since taking charge, he has been assembling his coaching staff and working to develop his management approach, while holding a series of meetings in Paris and Madrid, where he lives, according to RMC Sport.

Some members of his backroom team are already at Clairefontaine, the headquarters and training base of the France national team. Their presence is intended to ensure the best possible preparations for the selected players’ arrival and to minimise disruption to their daily routines.

According to RMC Sport, Zidane is determined to establish his own methods during his first camp as France manager. With the help of his new coaching staff, he wants to maintain as much control as possible over the opening days of the camp, including limiting the players’ exposure to the media.

As part of that approach, journalists will not be allowed to attend the traditional player arrival procession at Clairefontaine.

The practice has regularly been the subject of debate, particularly because of the attention given to the players’ clothing when they report for international duty. Zidane appears intent on bringing the tradition to an end, at least for now.

Foot Mercato described the decision as bold, saying it represented a clear break with the approach adopted by Deschamps during his time in charge of France.