Zidane's "Suspense", Affecting France's Preparations?

Written by Han Bing At 3:27 AM Beijing time, France secured a 2-1 victory over Brazil in a friendly match, thanks to goals from Mbappé and Ekitić, despite Upamecano being sent off with a red card. This marked their first win during the March international fixtures. However, beyond the outcome of a friendly, public attention naturally focuses on France's World Cup prospects and the rumored timing of Zidane's takeover of the team. French media outlets such as "L'Équipe," "Le Parisien," "Le Monde," and Monte Carlo Radio have intensively reported since Monday, confirming that Zidane has reached a verbal agreement with the French Football Federation. No contract signing or official announcement has been made, out of respect for Deschamps. That Zidane will become the head coach of France in three months is already an "open secret."

The first to "leak" the news was the president of the French Football Federation, Diallo—last Sunday, he teased in an interview with "Le Figaro": "I know the name of the next head coach of France." He also revealed that fewer than five applications had been received, all from French candidates. The new head coach of France must not only possess outstanding coaching abilities but also garner support from French fans. These details almost entirely point to Zidane. Although transfer expert Romano hinted at this back in December last year, it was only this week that mainstream French media unanimously confirmed that Zidane replacing Deschamps has truly become an "open secret."

Since resigning as head coach of Real Madrid on May 28, 2021, until taking over the French team this summer, Zidane has been without a coaching role for over five years. Diallo announced that the answer will only be revealed after the World Cup final on July 19, meaning that Zidane, one of the best coaches of the 21st century, will have been idle for at least 1879 days. He has not lacked opportunities; over the past five years, he has received numerous invitations from top European clubs, as well as from Saudi Arabia and Brazil, but Zidane, steadfast in waiting for his dream, declined them all. The Saudi Football Federation even offered a record-breaking contract totaling 150 million euros over three years, yet it still failed to persuade him.

"L'Équipe" reported in January that the French Football Federation and Zidane have been secretly negotiating, discussing the composition of the new coaching staff. Zidane will replicate his coaching team from Real Madrid, with Bettoni, who has recently worked in Swiss and Tunisian leagues, serving as the first assistant coach; Musaidi, also currently without a role, will handle areas such as physiotherapy and psychological intervention; DuPont, the fitness expert whom Deschamps was dissatisfied with, will also join during Zidane's tenure. Currently, DuPont works at Paris Red Star in the French second division.

Zidane's teammate from his Bordeaux days, Planck, will serve as an analyst; the current head coach of France's U19 national youth team, Diomède, may become Zidane's "scout" for youth teams; Zidane's long-term business consultant, Bangert, will continue to handle public relations and commercial affairs for the new head coach of France; Zidane will also invite old friends from the "98 generation" to join, enhancing the prestige of the coaching staff's "champion lineup." Bogossian, who served as an assistant coach under Domenech and Blanc, is considered the most likely to be the first champion to join the "champion coaching team."

Zidane's appointment is already evident, yet Diallo refuses to end the suspense prematurely. On one hand, he publicly emphasizes that delaying the announcement is to respect Deschamps, while on the other hand, he uses Zidane's reputation to "market" for the French Football Federation. He is negotiating contract extensions with existing sponsors while simultaneously approaching new sponsors. However, this move not only makes more people aware of the "secret" that Zidane will replace Deschamps but also brings unnecessary disruption to the French team. After all, Zidane's personal sponsors are commercial rivals of the French team's equipment sponsors. Diallo's actions show disrespect not only to Deschamps but also to the main sponsors.

French media generally believe that Diallo's behavior may interfere with France's World Cup preparations. Because journalists will persistently inquire about Zidane, media focus will remain on the future coach, which could harm the concentration of Deschamps and the players more than benefit it. "L'Équipe" argues this will bring endless trouble to Deschamps: "Who will journalists ask about? It will always be Zidane." Le10Sport compares France's current situation to Chelsea in 2004, when coach Ranieri constantly lived under the shadow of Mourinho. Such uncertainty could subtly affect the mindset of both the coach and the players.

At least, the rumors about Zidane have already impacted France's odds of winning the championship. At the beginning of December last year, after the World Cup draw, and on March 3rd, the 100-day countdown to the World Cup, France's odds of winning (9.0) were tied with Brazil and Argentina, only behind England (6.5) and Spain (5.5). However, this week, as rumors about Zidane intensified, France's odds showed noticeable fluctuations. Mbappé's comments on the rumors are also seen as evidence that Zidane is already influencing France's locker room. If France performs poorly in the World Cup due to this, how should Diallo, Deschamps, and Zidane handle themselves and respond to the ensuing public criticism?