Zinedine Zidane will lead France for the first time on Friday in a UEFA Nations League match against Turkey, marking the beginning of his tenure as the national team’s head coach. Zidane’s appointment comes amid ongoing questions about his coaching style and effectiveness, despite an illustrious managerial record at club level.
As a player, Zidane was often described as enigmatic, a characteristic that has followed him into his managerial career. His achievements as a coach are impressive on paper: he is one of only five managers to have won the UEFA Champions League three or more times, all three coming in consecutive seasons with Real Madrid between 2016 and 2018. Despite this, his coaching philosophy remains largely opaque, with observers divided over whether his successes stem from tactical brilliance or the strength of the squads he inherited.
During his first spell at Real Madrid, Zidane secured three consecutive Champions League titles and one La Liga championship. He stepped down shortly after the third Champions League victory, citing the need for change within the club. After a difficult period under his successors, he returned in March 2019 and guided the team to another La Liga title during his two full seasons back at the helm.
Zidane’s record with Real Madrid reveals a blend of dominance and inconsistency. His teams set several club records, including scoring in 73 consecutive games and winning 16 league matches in a row. However, his performances did not always translate into a distinctive style of play, and critics note that Real Madrid’s European triumphs were often marked more by individual brilliance and moments of fortune than clear tactical innovation.
The three successive Champions League titles invite further analysis. The 2016 campaign saw Real Madrid advancing through the knockout stages without commanding performances, including a penalty shootout victory over Atlético Madrid. The following year featured memorable victories inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo and key plays in extra time, while the 2018 win was marked by a dramatic final against Liverpool, influenced by a controversial injury to Mohamed Salah and notable errors by Liverpool’s goalkeeper.
Zidane’s role in these successes is viewed by some as more of a facilitator for established stars rather than as the architect of transformative football. The defining midfield trio of Casemiro, Luka Modrić, and Toni Kroos, along with attacking talents like Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, were already in place when he arrived. While Zidane is reputed to be an effective motivator and calming influence, his precise tactical contributions remain difficult to pinpoint.
France’s national team, abundant with talent yet often characterized by unfulfilled potential, now faces the challenge of interpreting Zidane’s approach at the international level. His appointment raises questions about whether his elusive coaching style can unlock the squad’s capabilities, following an international campaign that combined spirited attacking play with midfield vulnerabilities.
As Zidane steps into his role with France, the football world will be watching closely to see if he can translate his club achievements into success on the national stage and if his methods offer new clarity behind the figure long regarded as a footballing enigma.