Zinedine Zidane inherits fractured France squad amid Kylian Mbappe disputes
Zinedine Zidane is set to replace Didier Deschamps as manager of the French national team on 1 September, inheriting a squad fractured by internal disputes involving captain Kylian Mbappe.
The former Real Madrid head coach will officially take charge next month, according to French publication L’Équipe.
While the French Football Federation (FFF) has yet to confirm the appointment, president Philippe Diallo expects an official announcement before the end of August.
The 1998 World Cup winner has reportedly already started assembling his backroom staff as he prepares for his first managerial role in international football.
Didier Deschamps cites ‘intolerable’ environment
The impending arrival of the iconic former midfielder follows a turbulent end to the recent World Cup campaign.
France finished fourth at the tournament following a play-off defeat by England, prompting the outgoing manager to step down.
Deschamps subsequently explained his resignation by highlighting severe behind-the-scenes issues that undermined the squad.
“I dictated my exit because it was my choice to make,” Deschamps explained. “I resolved that it needed to finish here.”
“The environment had become completely intolerable, overly fixated on me. The French team does not merit that.”
The 55-year-old perceived a severe lack of support from the governing body following Diallo’s assumption of the presidency.
Tensions also flared between the coaching staff and FFF deputy director Erwan Le Prevost regarding travel logistics, family match tickets, and player compensation.
Kylian Mbappe’s growing influence
At the centre of the off-field drama sits the current national team captain, who clashed with federation officials in the build-up to the tournament.
The prolific Real Madrid forward took a leading role in negotiating player bonuses with the hierarchy.
Squad members were initially told they would only receive financial rewards if they reached the semi-finals, a stance the 25-year-old successfully challenged.
The influential attacker also demonstrated his significant sway by convincing the federation to install a specialised cryotherapy chamber at the team’s training base.
Addressing these deep-rooted administrative and dressing room divides will be the immediate priority for the incoming manager.