The five challenges awaiting Zinédine Zidane at the helm of the French national team

Zinédine Zidane's time has come. After the departure of Didier Deschamps, who left an indelible mark on Les Bleus over more than a decade—including that unforgettable World Cup triumph in 2018, the former Real Madrid manager now takes charge of the French national team amid immense anticipation surrounding his appointment. Here are the five main challenges facing the 1998 World Cup champion as he takes his place on the Les Bleus bench.

Building on the strengths of the Didier Deschamps era

Didier Deschamps leaves behind an exceptional legacy. Zizou's mission will be to preserve the foundations that brought Les Bleus so much success, while gradually stamping his own philosophy on the squad. His main objective: inject new energy without causing a disruptive break from the past.

Building a team around Kylian Mbappé

As captain and attacking talisman for France, Kylian Mbappé will naturally be the cornerstone of Zidane's project. The new manager must find the ideal balance to unlock his No. 10’s full potential, without making the team overly reliant on his individual brilliance. With 10 goals, the Madrid star secured a second consecutive World Cup Golden Boot after 2022, cementing his status as the linchpin of Zidane’s vision.

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Giving the new generation their chance

While several veterans remain at the top of their game, a new generation is knocking on the door. The challenge is to integrate fresh faces to replace those moving on or no longer delivering, all while maintaining Les Bleus’ immediate competitiveness. Striking the right balance between experience and youth is crucial to keep France in the hunt for silverware.

Imposing his identity in the pursuit of titles

At Real Madrid, Zidane stood out for his ability to manage high-stakes fixtures while giving attacking players the freedom to express themselves. With the French national team, he’ll need to define a clear identity that unsettles opponents. Whether that’s based on pressing, technical mastery, or rapid transitions remains to be seen…

Meeting sky-high expectations from day one

Few coaches arrive with such a commanding aura. A three-time Champions League winner as Real Madrid boss, Zidane will be under intense scrutiny from his very first training camp. The pressure is enormous—but harnessing it is key to forging a team capable of chasing trophies and delighting the fans of Les Bleus.

Imed Ben Amara |

Editorar, fr

Imed Ben Amara - bilingual sports writer and web editor with experience in football content creation. Since 2021, he has contributed to Foot Africa, providing news coverage and analysis.

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