Zinedine Zidane plans talks with Kylian Mbappe

Zinedine Zidane has officially begun his tenure as France head coach, outlining his ideas for Les Bleus and sending an early message to captain Kylian Mbappe.

Presented by the French Football Federation on July 28, the 54-year-old admitted this job is the role he has wanted ever since leaving Real Madrid in 2021.

“It’s a continuity, in a way a dream… I’ve had offers over the last four or five years to take over clubs. I turned them all down for the France team. It was the only thing I wanted to do after Real Madrid,” Zidane explained, clearly delighted to finally take charge.

He spoke of his journey through every France youth level, describing the senior job as “the summit” and saying he will give everything to keep the team winning. He even called this “the best day” of his coaching life, while admitting he was holding back strong emotions.

Asked about Mbappe, installed as captain by Didier Deschamps, Zidane said they have not yet spoken. “The most important thing for him is to rest, he’s earned it after his World Cup. We will have the chance to talk in September,” he added, hinting at a calm, respectful relationship with his star forward.