French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo has spoken about the beginning of Zinédine Zidane's tenure as head coach of the French national team, with Les Bleus preparing for their first competitive test under the former Real Madrid manager against Turkey in the UEFA Nations League.
The French Football Federation officially appointed Zidane on a four-year contract, succeeding Didier Deschamps. His mandate covers the Nations League, the Euro 2028 qualification campaign and the road to the 2030 World Cup.
Diallo explained that Zidane's appointment was not a decision made overnight. The former France international had been waiting for the opportunity to manage his national team for several years, and discussions between the two men convinced the FFF president that Zidane had the ambition and personality required for the role.
During their conversations, Zidane reportedly told Diallo: “President, I know how to win.” The statement left a strong impression on the FFF president and reflected the ambition Zidane brought to the project from the beginning.
As Zidane officially began his mission in September, Diallo emphasized the high ambitions surrounding the French national team. He believes France have a squad capable of competing for major trophies over the coming years, including the Nations League, Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup.
Zidane's first match in charge will come against Turkey on September 25 in Kocaeli, followed by fixtures against Belgium and Italy during the current international window. The matches will provide the first competitive look at Zidane's project with the national team.
A new era has now officially begun for France, with Zidane tasked with building on the foundations established under Deschamps while introducing his own footballing ideas. The former World Cup winner has already made clear that his main objective is to keep France competing at the highest level and continue winning with a talented generation of players.