Photo via BBC Sport

Zidane waited for France - now can he harness their star power?

Zinedine Zidane is taking charge of the French national team for their upcoming fixture against Turkey on Friday, succeeding Didier Deschamps after a fourth-place finish at the World Cup. Discussions regarding the appointment began as early as February 2025, with the former Real Madrid manager turning down multiple proposals over a four to five year span while waiting for this specific role.

During his introductory press conference in the French capital, Zidane opted against sharing tactical particulars or discussing Kylian Mbappe's status as captain, while confirming his intent to implement fresh methods alongside elements of continuity. The newly appointed coach has already selected five uncapped players for the current international window.