New France coach Zinedine Zidane don ban barbers and personal grooming services for the national training centre, as Les Bleus stars like Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise dey known for their style but vanity no go block victory. The French national team enta strict prohibition on personal grooming services during their time for the national training centre. Na major shift for culture.
Zidane admit say taking charge of France for di first time na big something, as he prepare to begin him reign against Turkey for di Nations League on Friday. Di 54-year-old succeed Didier Deschamps after di former France captain 14-year spell in charge, and he go officially start him tenure with away fixture for Kocaeli.
For him pre-match press conference, dem ask Zidane whether him emotions compare to di ones he feel when he make him France debut 32 years ago. ‘Maybe even more, actually,’ Zidane talk. ‘It was a long time ago, and today I feel an immense emotion at being here in charge of this France team.’
Zidane appointment don generate huge interest for France, with him first week in charge dominating media coverage before him first competitive match. But di former Real Madrid manager insist say focus suppose remain on him players, no be him own status. ‘It is di next step after Didier 14 years, it is something new so it is completely normal. But di main protagonists na di players,’ he talk. ‘I think you just have to accept di way things are done; I no dey look for that and I no dey here for that. I go try do di job with my players, to make sure we can win matches – na that interest me.’
France midfielder Adrien Rabiot talk say Zidane don also try to minimise di attention wey surround him appointment and allow di players express themselves. ‘He dey with us di way he dey on di outside,’ Rabiot talk. ‘We dey fully aware of how important he don be for French football. Him aura mean say he take up plenty space and people expect plenty from him.’
Rabiot, who be one of France captains alongside Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Jules Kounde, talk say several changes don already show since Zidane replace Deschamps. ‘Some players already, different ways of doing things and also different training sessions,’ he talk. ‘Wetin di coach want na obviously fairly attacking style of play. Dem go watch us very closely for how we play because di coach be new and plenty dey expected from him.’
Zidane go wait until next Friday to lead France for home match, with him first two fixtures coming away from home. France face Turkey on Friday before travelling to play Belgium on Monday, while Zidane first home game go come against Italy next Friday.
