Zinedine Zidane begins his new adventure as France’s national team coach on Friday (September 18), with the former Real Madrid coach heading to the offices of the French Football Federation, where he will announce his first roster for the upcoming international break.
The 53-year-old from Marseille is expected to introduce a series of new rules, primarily regarding media relations, which differ significantly from those established by Didier Deschamps during his 14-year uninterrupted tenure as coach of the “Tricolores.”
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The first change concerns the announcement of his first squad. The presentation will take place at the offices of the French Football Federation, without the presence of television cameras. The press conference will be broadcast exclusively on the “FFF’s” official communication channels.
In the case of Didier Deschamps, however, various television networks were able to film both the squad announcement and the press conference that followed. This measure has now been lifted, at least for the time being.
Another change introduced by Zidane is the elimination of the massive media presence outside the “Clairfontaine” to cover and broadcast the arrivals of the French national team players at the training center. This had become something of a spectacle in its own right, as several players arrived in outfits that sparked extensive discussion and commentary in the media.
As with Zidane’s first press conference, the Federation will be the sole provider of the necessary audiovisual material, with the aim, in a sense, of “protecting” its international players. However, journalists will have access to the mixed zones with the players during the first few days of France’s training camp, marking a change from the Deschamps era, when press conferences were held with only two players.
Zidane will not be giving any interviews during the season’s first international break. After all, throughout his career, the coach has not been one to make frequent media appearances, beyond mandatory press conferences.
From the announcement of his first squad on September 18 through October 5—the day France will face Belgium at the Stade de France— the former Real Madrid and Juventus player will appear before the press a total of eight times to present his philosophy, his working methods, and his initial decisions.
*photo source: AP
