The Dawn of Zizou: Inside Zinedine Zidane’s First Training Session as France Head Coach on Monday, September 21, 2026, a new chapter in French football history was written under the autumn sun at Claire Fontaine.
Sixteen years after first being linked with the national team job, Zinedine Zidane finally strode onto the pitch as the head coach of Les Bleus. Succeeding Didier Deschamps after a historic fourteen-year reign, Zidane’s return to the national football center carried immense nostalgic and symbolic weight, signaling a radical shift from the methodologies of the past.
The air at Claire Fontaine was charged with heavy expectation. Over fifty journalists and photographers packed the sidelines, eager to catch a glimpse of the 1998 World Cup hero donning the manager’s kit. To build his new empire, Zidane assembled a coaching staff that heavily mirrors France’s golden generation.
Standing beside him was his long-time tactical confidant, David Bettoni, who assisted him during his trophy-laden years at Real Madrid. Adding to the heavy sentimentality of the occasion, legendary former goalkeeper Fabien Barthez took charge of the shot-stoppers, reuniting key pillars of the iconic 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000-winning squads.
The inaugural session, however, required immediate adaptability from the new boss. Due to a demanding weekend schedule for French players across Europe’s top domestic leagues, Zidane’s full twenty-three-man squad was not yet assembled. He took command of a limited, twelve-strong group for the opening afternoon. Prominent figures like Eduardo Camavinga, Jules Koundé, and Dayot Upamecano were present, alongside rising star Michael Olise.
“The Dawn of Zizou: Inside Zinedine Zidane’s First Training Session as France Head Coach on Monday.”
The most notable absentee was captain Kylian Mbappé, who missed the initial session following Real Madrid’s grueling derby match against Atlético Madrid, and subsequently sat out tactical drills due to illness. Despite the depleted numbers, the atmosphere was defined by what French media described as technique and serenity. Zidane opted for a gentle introduction, focusing on technical ball work and low-intensity drills designed to ease the players into the international break.
Observers noted that Zidane intends to move away from the rigid defensive blueprints of the Deschamps era. Early tactical setups indicated a strong preference for a dynamic 4-3-3 formation, maximizing the fluid attacking capabilities of his squad ahead of upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Turkey and Belgium.
The session concluded with a brief, high-spirited practice match. In a moment that delighted both players and onlookers, the day ended with shooting drills where crosses were delivered directly by the fifty-four-year-old manager himself. Demonstrating that his legendary world-class touch remains entirely intact, Zidane’s precise deliveries left the squad smiling and visibly inspired. With heightened personal security detailing his every move to handle the intense fan hysteria, the Zidane era has officially begun, promising a beautiful, attack-minded dawn for French football.
