Zinedine Zidane's France revolution welcomed by Dugarry

Zinedine Zidane’s appointment as France coach has already produced a clear break with the Didier Deschamps era, according to former international teammate Christophe Dugarry. The new manager is presenting a different football identity, built on strong ideas and an influence shaped partly by his years in Spain.

Speaking on RMC on Friday, Dugarry said Zidane’s early decisions showed the scale of the change. Kylian Mbappe has been moved to the left wing, while Rayan Cherki has been used in a three-man midfield to add greater technical quality in central areas. Dugarry also stressed that Zidane’s final style should not be judged after only a few weeks.

The squad has changed as well. Established defenders Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez and Lucas Digne have been left out, creating opportunities for several players yet to represent France. The full-back positions remain a major issue, but the turnover reflects Zidane’s willingness to make strong selections rather than preserve the previous hierarchy.

Dugarry said Zidane appears visibly happy in the role, which he treated as a long-term career priority after leaving Real Madrid in 2021. The former coach reportedly turned down many club offers while waiting for the France job. His task now is to prove himself as a national-team manager, with patience required as the new project takes shape.