Just days after the start of his first training camp as head coach of the French national team, Zinédine Zidane has already profoundly changed the habits of Les Bleus. Schedules, warm-ups, pre-activation exercises, training organization: the system implemented by the new coach differs significantly from that of Didier Deschamps , as reported by L'Équipe . Within the squad, the observation is unequivocal: "the break is almost total" between the two methods.
Zidane had begun to demonstrate his desire for change even before his first training session. The new coach had notably decided to end the traditional "parade" of players before the media upon their arrival at Clairefontaine, a highly visible first modification to the way the French national team operated. Zidane had already eliminated the traditional "parade" of the French national team players at Clairefontaine.
From schedules to warm-ups, Zidane is changing habits
The difference with the Deschamps era is therefore not limited to player selection or tactical systems. It is now reflected in the daily lives of the international players. Working hours have changed, as have the ways in which players are prepared before training sessions, including warm-ups and pre-activation exercises.
The very structure of the training sessions is different. Zidane and his staff, including David Bettoni, implemented their own method from the very first days. During his first real group session, the new manager focused on numerous scrimmages and ball work, while also beginning to implement a 4-3-3 formation.
This break was already noticeable when Zinédine Zidane unveiled his first squad list . Several new players were called up while some key players from the Deschamps era were not selected.
A clear instruction: the French national team must live more "in isolation".
Zinedine Zidane also laid down a rule regarding the group's dynamics. During a meeting with the players, the coach expressed his desire to see Les Bleus live more "in isolation" during training camps.
This approach aligns with the initial changes implemented at Clairefontaine. Player access is more tightly controlled, and the château is intended to revert primarily to being a space reserved for the team and for work. Upon the arrival of the international players, journalists and photographers are no longer permitted the traditional procession of players past the building.
Zidane wants to have a tight-knit group around the players and his staff during international breaks. A method he began implementing from his very first international gathering.
The ball is at the heart of almost all the exercises
On the pitch, another characteristic is already clearly apparent: the emphasis on technical skill is fully embraced . The ball occupies a central place in training sessions, and Zidane incorporates technical work even into the simplest exercises.
Even a shooting drill isn't simply about receiving the ball before shooting. Players must first execute a combination before finishing the action. The goal is to develop multiple sequences and automatic responses, even when an exercise is primarily focused on finishing.
This approach was already evident during the new coach's very first training session. The players present worked on ball retention, participated in several technical drills, and finished with a five-a-side match on small goals. Dayot Upamecano summarized this initial contact: "We did some technical work, and we saw that he still had some left in him."
Combinations, the ball, and a 4-3-3 formation: the Zidane method is taking shape
The first training sessions also reveal the tactical intentions of the new coach. Zidane is notably working with three midfielders and a 4-3-3 formation. Kylian Mbappé is being considered for the left wing of the attack, while Ousmane Dembélé can occupy the central role.
Adrien Rabiot also confirms that the players are discovering a different way of working. On the eve of the first match, the French midfielder mentions "different ways of doing things, different training sessions, different ideas" since the arrival of the new staff.
Zidane is therefore not simply maintaining the structure left by Didier Deschamps. After fourteen years under the leadership of his predecessor, Les Bleus are discovering new schedules, new exercises and a different organization, with a particularly important place given to the ball and technique.
The first real test now comes with Zinédine Zidane's first match in charge of Les Bleus against Turkey . For the new coach, this match should reveal how the changes implemented at Clairefontaine are now translating onto the pitch.
