Zinedine Zidane was officially presented as the new coach of the France team and made it clear what identity he will seek to imprint on the team. The former Real Madrid strategist assured that his project will be based on the philosophy he developed during his time in Spanish soccer.
During his first press conference as head of the French team, the 1998 world champion explained that his experience in Spain will be one of the main references to build the French team.
Zidane anticipates the style of play that France will have
The new coach assured that his proposal will maintain many similarities with the one he showed during his years at Real Madrid, where he won multiple titles as a coach.
"What I do here will be similar to what I have done all these years in Madrid. The selection was the next step (...) As for my style you can already see. I was a 10 on the field, what motivates me is scoring goals, although I know that a balance is needed. In addition, I have lived 25 years in Spain and everyone knows what that entails," said the coach during the press conference of his presentation.
The Frenchman also explained that he will seek to transfer his leadership from the field of play to the bench.
“On the field of play I was a leader and now I want to be one on the bench because of my experience, because of what I have achieved, because of what I believe I am as a coach,” he stated.
Zidane assures that leading France was his great objective
Zinedine Zidane acknowledged that becoming coach of the France national team represented the natural next step in his career and revealed that he turned down offers from clubs while waiting for this opportunity.
"In the national team I have surpassed all categories and I have won a World Cup. It is the most that can happen to you. I have spent five years waiting for this moment, I am excited," he added.
The new strategist also dedicated words of recognition to Didier Deschamps, although he made it clear that his management will have its own stamp.
"We are going to do something different. I don't see it as a break, I see it as continuity so that the team continues winning," he added.
Zidane also spoke about Spain
The French coach recalled the elimination of the France team against Spain in the semifinals of the last World Cup, although he assured that this result will not affect his project.
"I am aware that in this position I will not only have to beat Spain. We have to beat everyone. Spain is a brave team, I know well how Spanish football evolves. But there are no duels planned for now with Spain. My priority are the September matches," he said.
With these statements, Zinedine Zidane made it clear that his immediate priority will be to prepare the next official commitments of the France team, with a game idea based on balance, offensive protagonism and the experience acquired during his successful time at Real Madrid.
