Zinedine Zidane conducts first training session as France manager at Clairefontaine
Zinédine Zidane conducted his first training session with the French national team on Monday, working with a 12-man group at Clairefontaine ahead of four Nations League matches.
Return to Clairefontaine
Zinédine Zidane conducted his first training session as France manager on Monday, 21 September, at the Centre National du Football in Clairefontaine. Appointed on 28 July to replace Didier Deschamps, Zidane returned to the national centre 20 years after his retirement as an international player following the 2006 World Cup. His expanded 27-member staff, ranging from tactical assistants to kitchen personnel, had arrived at the château on Saturday to prepare for an extended 15-day camp. In a departure from previous team protocols, journalists were barred from the traditional arrivals at the castle steps, with only French Football Federation cameras allowed to record the players entering the complex. An estimated 50 to 60 reporters and camera operators were admitted to the grounds at 16:00 to observe the open portion of the evening session.
- Zidane is appointed manager of the French national team
- Zidane names his first 23-player squad list
- Zidane and his 27-member staff arrive at Clairefontaine
- Zidane conducts his first training session with 12 players
- Nations League away fixture against Turkey
- Nations League away fixture against Belgium
Squad rotation and initial turnout
Only 12 of the 23 players named in Zidane's initial squad participated in the on-pitch workout, while the other 11 players remained inside for medical treatment and gym recovery after weekend club matches. Striker Esteban Lepaul, one of five uncapped players in the group, was the first player to arrive at Clairefontaine, whereas captain Kylian Mbappé arrived last following Real Madrid's derby defeat to Atlético Madrid on Sunday. The 12 active players on the pitch included Guillaume Restes, Jean Butez, Esteban Lepaul, Maghnes Akliouche, Dayot Upamecano, Lucas Da Cunha, Andy Diouf, Michael Olise, Jules Koundé, Manu Koné, Eduardo Camavinga, and Maxence Lacroix. Goalkeeper Jean Butez, aged 32 and playing for Como, joined the team as a late replacement for Robin Risser.
- On-pitch training
- 12 players
- Indoor recovery and gym
- 11 players
On-pitch drills and coaching staff
Zidane chose to hold the session on the Michel Platini pitch, where he trained during his playing career, rather than the Pierre Pibarot pitch favoured by Deschamps. The one-hour workout, held under clear late-summer skies, was primarily directed by assistant coach David Bettoni, who previously worked with Zidane during his three Champions League title runs at Real Madrid. Goalkeeping coach Fabien Barthez, who won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 alongside Zidane, ran exercises with goalkeepers Restes and Butez. Zidane led passing sequences and delivered crosses for a concluding shooting drill and short practice match, marking his first on-field coaching session in five years since his departure from Madrid.
He still has plenty of skill. It is going to be difficult to copy his moves.
He told us that we were going to get to know each other, that we were going to lay the foundations. It does not put pressure on us, it is a source of pride.
Schedule for the Nations League
The Clairefontaine camp serves as preparation for four fixtures in the UEFA Nations League over the next two weeks. France will travel to face Turkey on 25 September before taking on Belgium on 28 September. The squad will then return to Paris to host Italy and Belgium at the Stade de France in early October.
