No Time to Rest: FFF to Officially Unveil France's New Manager on Tuesday

Next Tuesday in Paris, the French Football Federation will officially appoint Zinedine Zidane to take over as the new national team manager.

According to the French newspaper L'Équipe, the tactical vision for the national squad has been taking shape for several months. Constant and discreet consultations between Zidane and FFF President Philippe Diallo have paved the way for a remarkably smooth transition.

The federation has finalized a massive 4 year contract to secure the former Real Madrid mastermind, firmly locking him in for the upcoming European and World Cup cycles.

Finalizing the backroom staff

While the managerial shift is significant, Zidane is not planning to completely overhaul the existing national framework.

L'Équipe reports that the 54 year old tactician will finalize his coaching staff by August, with expectations leaning toward minimal but highly targeted changes.

The federation intends to formally announce his arrival on Tuesday. A press conference to unveil the new manager is highly likely though it may be scheduled for a slightly later date to ensure proper media preparation.

Honoring an outgoing legend

Before fully embracing the Zidane era, the FFF desperately wants to pay tribute to Didier Deschamps. Deschamps successfully rebuilt a fractured French squad in 2012 recording 120 wins across 185 matches and ultimately delivering both the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 UEFA Nations League.

However, the departing manager has yet to respond to the federation’s attempts to organize a formal farewell ceremony preferring a quiet exit after an exhausting 14 year tenure.

Immediate tactical challenges

Zidane will have no time to rest once he officially signs the paperwork. His managerial debut is rapidly approaching, with a demanding international window scheduled for late September and early October.

France will face Turkey on 25September and Belgium on 28 September. Days later, they will clash with Italy on 2 October, followed by a second fixture against Belgium on 5 October in the UEFA Nations League testing Zidane's fresh tactical setup immediately.

The return of a tactical Mastermind

Zidane steps into the national dugout following a 5 year hiatus from management having last coached Real Madrid in 2021.

This specific managerial handover poignantly mirrors his iconic playing days. Back in 1998, it was Deschamps who wore the captain's armband while Zidane pulled the strings in midfield to deliver France's first World Cup on home soil.

Now, 28 years later, the captain hands the tactical reins directly over to his most trusted playmaker.

Taking over a squad burdened by massive expectations is a familiar challenge for Zidane. When he first took charge of Real Madrid in early 2016, he inherited a struggling, divided side mid-season.

He immediately transformed them into European conquerors securing three consecutive Champions League trophies.

Khaled Hegazy |

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Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.

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