Diallo: Zidane begins his tenure with France with a clear desire for change

Philippe Diallo, the president of the French Football Federation, believes that the new coach of the French national team, Zinedine Zidane, has started his tenure with a clear desire for change, pointing out noticeable differences compared to the previous coach Didier Deschamps.

Diakite stated in an interview with "La Provence": "I think he has very clear ideas about what he wants to do and about how he wants to manage the French national team. You have seen it, he is in a state of rupture. It is already a new page."

The president of the French Football Federation pointed out that Zidane has chosen a squad of only 23 players, instead of 26 as has been customary in the past, explaining: "He has chosen 23 players instead of 26, and this is a first indication. He will make them play. He has selected names that we perhaps did not expect, and he has not called up other names that we might have anticipated."

Zinedine Zidane's first squad list saw the call-up of six new players, including goalkeeper Jean Bouteille. In contrast, several prominent names that were present during Didier Deschamps' tenure, such as Théo Hernandez, Lucas Hernandez, N'Golo Kanté, and Marcus Thuram, were absent. Zidane explained that he preferred a limited squad to avoid having some players find themselves on the bench outside the matchday squad.

Diakite added that Zidane wants to "change things" with a clear goal of achieving victories, stating: "I believe his deep desire is to give back to the French national team what it has given him in his life, both as a player and as a man, and to win in order to bring enjoyment and pride to everyone."

The president of the French Football Federation concluded his remarks by highlighting Zidane's ambitions, stating: "I believe that Zinedine is the person most capable of continuing this golden era and allowing the France national team to reach, as I always hope, the semi-finals, and perhaps go further to win titles. I believe he has come for that."

Changes in player selections are not the only differences noted, as journalist Jean-Louis Tour pointed out alterations in communication style. He highlighted that the players' arrival at Clairefontaine has become calmer, and Zidane did not follow Deschamps' method of listing players one by one during the announcement of the squad, while appearing clearer and smiling during his press conference.