Doubts about Didier Deschamps’ continuity in charge of the French national team were dispelled on Saturday when the French federation announced the manager’s continuity until 2026.
Zinédine Zidane, without any plans since leaving Real Madrid in May 2021, was seen as a likely successor to Deschamps, but for him the door to Les Bleus appears to have closed for at least the next three and a half years, now following the news that can happen to Tite at the helm of the Brazilian national team.
This Sunday, Noël Le Graët, president of the French federation, commented on the matter in an interview with RMC and the statements about Zidane have generated a lot of opposition, with reactions also from the sports minister and the greatest figure of French football in these days : Kylian Mbappe.
“Zidane in Brazil? I don’t know, I’d be surprised. But he does what he wants, it’s none of my business. (…) I’m not shaken, he can go where he wants. (…) What if Zidane tries to talk to me? I wouldn’t even talk to him on the phone. To tell you what? Good morning, don’t worry, he’s looking for another club, I already agree with Didier ?! You are very ‘pro-Zidane, dedicate a special program to him to find a club or a national team’, he fired at the presenters of the program, reporting that he was not moved to see a historical figure like Zidane at the helm of another country like France .
Kylian Mbappé, star of the French national team, was quick to react through a brief but impactful reaction on social media in which it was clear which side he was on: “Zidane is France, you can’t disrespect a legend in this way”, is attractive.
Even Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, French Minister of Sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, did not remain silent and also spoke on Twitter. «Shameful lack of respect, which offends everyone, towards a legend of football and sport: a “president” [n.d.r.: governante usou mesmo as aspas] I shouldn’t say that.”
Zinédine Zidane was part of the golden generation of French football, having led the team to win the 1998 World Cup in France and Euro 2000.
