Zinedine Zidane outlines ‘no break’ approach after taking charge of France

Zinedine Zidane has promised continuity rather than a clean break with the Didier Deschamps era after being officially unveiled as France head coach, while insisting he will still bring his “own touch” to Les Bleus.

The former France captain, confirmed on Tuesday as Deschamps’ successor after a 14-year reign, said he saw no reason to distance himself from the work done by his predecessor and former team-mate, but underlined that his methods and personality would inevitably shape a new chapter.

“I have nothing negative to say about what has been done,” Zidane said at his presentation. “We will do things differently, that’s certain. Didier Deschamps, Laurent Blanc and Zinedine Zidane are three different coaches, and I will bring my own approach. But there will be no rupture. The aim is to do everything possible for the France team to keep on winning. As for my playing philosophy and my ideas, we will have the chance to talk about that later.”

The 1998 World Cup winner returns to the national team in a very different role from the iconic No 10 shirt he once wore for France, after a hugely successful spell in club management with Real Madrid. His appointment marks his first job in charge of a national side.

Continuity with a personal stamp —

Zidane, who played for Juventus and Real Madrid before moving into coaching, stressed that his long experience at the highest level would underpin the evolution of the side rather than tearing up what already exists.

While he avoided going into tactical detail, he pointed to his background as a creative midfielder and his long stay in Spain as key influences on how his France team is likely to play.

“I am driven by the game, I have a number 10,” he said, referring to his traditional on-pitch role. “What drives me is going to score goals. Of course, you need balance in the team. I lived for 25 years in Spain, so you know what that means. I started in France, I am a number 10, I was a leader on the pitch and I want to become a leader through my experience. You will see my style gradually. We will see each other again very soon.”

His comments suggest an emphasis on attacking intent allied to collective structure, influenced by the football he experienced and coached in La Liga, but he reiterated that the priority remains results rather than stylistic revolution.

First tests already on the horizon –

Zidane is keen to get to work with his squad and is already focused on the start of his tenure, which he believes will offer a rare opportunity to shape the team on the training ground.

“My first match is Turkey, in Turkey,” he said, looking ahead to his debut fixture in charge. “We will have four matches in September. I will have three weeks with the players, it’s unprecedented. It’s great to be with the players and to prepare something.”

Those extended preparations, which are unusual in the international calendar, will be used by Zidane to introduce his ideas and assess his options, even as he maintains the core principles that have kept France at the top of the world game in recent years.

By pledging “no rupture” while signalling a distinct style shaped by his career in France, Italy and Spain, Zidane has set out a vision of measured change as he begins his attempt to add international coaching success to his glittering playing and club managerial achievements.