Zidane feels 'immense emotion' as France coaching era begins in Turkey

Zinedine Zidane says taking charge of France for the first time has brought a level of emotion he did not even feel before making his international debut as a player.

The France legend will lead Les Bleus for the first time on Friday when they face Türkiye in the UEFA Nations League in Kocaeli.

For Zidane, it is the beginning of a new chapter with the national team he helped to glory as a player.

“I feel even more emotional than I did ahead of my first game as a player. Today I feel immense emotion at being able to be here in charge of France,” Zidane said on Thursday.

The 54-year-old was appointed in July to replace Didier Deschamps, bringing an end to Deschamps' 14-year spell in charge.

Zidane's appointment has generated huge interest in France. He remains one of the country's most recognisable sporting figures, having won the 1998 World Cup as a player and later guided Real Madrid to three successive Champions League titles as a coach.

But he knows his reputation will only take him so far.

“The protagonists are the players,” Zidane said.

“I will stick to my job and try to put something in place with the players to get them winning games. That's what interests me.”

Mbappé returns to training

Zidane's first challenge also comes with attention on captain Kylian Mbappé.

The Real Madrid forward missed a France training session earlier in the week after experiencing flu-like symptoms.

The French Football Federation subsequently confirmed that Mbappé had returned to normal training, easing concerns over his availability for the opening Nations League fixture.

Mbappé remains France captain under Zidane and is central to the new coach's plans.

Zidane's first squad also contains several new faces, including Liverpool defender Jérémy Jacquet, Inter Milan midfielder Andy Diouf, Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes, Como midfielder Lucas Da Cunha and Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul.

That combination of established stars and newcomers gives the opening match an added significance beyond Zidane's personal debut.

Rabiot: Zidane's aura can help players

France midfielder Adrien Rabiot believes the attention surrounding Zidane could actually give the players more breathing room.

Zidane's standing in French football means much of the attention naturally falls on him.

Rabiot said the new coach was trying to keep that spotlight away from the squad so the players could concentrate on their performances.

“We know how important he has been for French football. His aura means he takes up a lot of space and people expect a lot from him,” Rabiot said.

“He is trying to stay out of the spotlight to allow the players to fully express themselves.”

For Zidane, that may be one of the early balancing acts of the job.

He is simultaneously the coach, a national icon and one of the central figures in French football history.

A demanding first Nations League run

The first match against Türkiye is only the beginning of a busy opening spell.

UEFA's schedule has France travelling to Belgium on September 28, before hosting Italy on October 2 and Belgium again on October 5.

The opening four matches will give Zidane his first extended opportunity to work with the squad and introduce his ideas.

They will also offer an early indication of how quickly the former Real Madrid coach can impose his approach on a team that has been shaped by Deschamps for more than a decade.

France enter the new era with high expectations.

Zidane is not hiding from them.

Instead, he insists the focus should remain where it belongs — on the players and what happens on the pitch.

His first test begins in Türkiye.

About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.