Zinédine Zidane wants to put his own stamp on the French national team. As he begins his tenure as head coach, Didier Deschamps’ successor is already embracing a change in philosophy: a more proactive France side, capable of taking control of matches and playing more with the ball.
The change of coach should also bring a change of style. After the long Didier Deschamps era, Zidane has no intention of simply following the same formula. Speaking to Téléfoot, the new France boss made it clear that he wants to build a team in his own image. “There will definitely be a change,” Zidane warned, as he outlined his desire for France to impose their football rather than constantly adapt to their opponents.
Zidane wants France to take control
“What I want is a team that plays and really decides to take control of the game,” Zidane explained. The break is primarily philosophical: he wants his players to shape matches rather than simply react to them. With the technical quality available in midfield and attack, Zidane wants France to keep possession, dictate the tempo and take more initiative. However, balance will remain essential. “When we don’t have the ball, we’ll have to be balanced and really focused on transitions,” he added.
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This new philosophy could also change Kylian Mbappé’s role. Zidane immediately confirmed the France captain as one of his leaders but stressed that he does not see him simply as a centre-forward. “He’s not just a number nine,” the coach said, highlighting Mbappé’s ability to operate in several attacking areas. The captain could therefore be given greater freedom to drift wide, drop deeper or move through the middle depending on the situation.
Zidane does not intend to wait months for his ideas to take effect. Although he has signed a four-year contract with Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup on the horizon, his immediate focus is much closer. “For me, it’s Monday. When I’m with my players, I’m working, and the goal is to win my first match in Turkey. I only have one objective, and that’s it.” Beyond the result, that first game should provide the first real signs of Zidane’s promised transformation: a France team determined to take control and impose its own style.
