Zinédine Zidane set to take France job as national icon returns | OneFootball

Zinédine Zidane, 54, is expected to be confirmed as France head coach on Tuesday at a French Football Federation press conference. According to Le Progres, the national icon is returning to centre stage after years out of the daily glare.

Many last saw him in July 2006, leaving Berlin’s Olympiastadion after the headbutt heard around the world. Aficionados then followed his Real Madrid spell from 2016 to 2021 in his adopted Spain, and he fronted the Paris Olympics opening two years ago as Jamel Debbouze shouted “Zizou Christ!”.

Few figures carry such weight with the public, and he remains near the top of popularity lists, behind only Jean-Jacques Goldman.

Philosopher Ollivier Pourriol casts him as a self-made, near monarchical figure, the Marseille-born son of Algerian immigrants. He even reads the Materazzi headbutt as a regal act of honour, and argues Zidane believes he owes France and will seek to put that right.

Reserved yet combustible, he has kept politics at arm’s length, aside from urging voters to block the far right in 2002 and 2017. His legend was sealed on 12 July 1998 with two headers against Brazil and the “Zidane président” slogan on the Arc de Triomphe.

Guy Lacombe, who launched him at Cannes and later helped train him for his 2014-2015 Pro Licence, says Zidane has the feel for the job, wants it, and sees it as his last challenge, though it will not be easy.

His private aims are unknown, though he has prepared for months. He will be tasked with re-energising the side after a disappointing World Cup semi-final and steering next year’s Euro 2028 qualifying, his first major test.

Source: Le Progres