ShareZinedine Zidane will take charge of his first matches as France’s new manager in the extended September and October international break.By Graham RuthvenZinedine Zidane just had to bide his time. The three-times Champions League-winning manager could have taken any other job after leaving Real Madrid (for a second time) in 2021. He surely had offers. Zidane, however, remained patient as France’s next national team manager in waiting.That patience paid off when the 54-year-old was officially named Les Bleus boss after the World Cup, confirming the worst kept secret in international football. Zidane was long seen as the natural heir to Didier Deschamps and now the former midfielder will get his chance to reshape the French national team in his own image.France fixtures during this international breakWhat that image is, though, is unclear. While Zidane enjoyed incredible success as a manager over two spells at Real Madrid, winning three Champions League titles and two LaLiga titles, as well as two European Super Cups and two Club World Cups for good measure, he never had much of an identifiable playing style.Zidane was the ultimate man-manager during his two managerial stints at the Santiago Bernabéu. The former Ballon d’Or winner instantly commanded the respect of Real Madrid’s superstars in a way some of his successors in the job were never able to do. Zidane managed by aura, and it worked. At no point, however, did Zidane have an overarching tactical philosophy. Under his stewardship, Real Madrid played in quick transition. They were never able to control games through possession. Most of the time, they didn’t need to, but Zidane’s Real Madrid certainly weren’t revered for their tactical structure.In many ways, Zidane’s Real Madrid played a similar brand of football to the style professed by Deschamps over 14 years as France boss. This should make the handover of managerial power a smooth one. There is a lot of stylistic overlap between Zidane’s game and Deschamps-ball.Zidane’s trophy record at Real MadridThe problem for Zidane, though, is that after nearly a decade-and-a-half of stodgy, conservative football under Deschamps, many French fans are ready for something different. They broadly want a more modern style of play and Zidane, for all his glittering success as a player and manager, might not be the man to deliver this.Zidane has picked five new faces in his first France squad for the UEFA Nations League matches against Türkiye, Belgium and Italy. Liverpool centre back Jérémy Jacquet is expected to feature while Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul, Como midfielder Lucas Da Cunha, Inter Milan’s Andy Diouf and Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes have all been included.France’s squad is one of the most talented in the international arena right now. Their forward line is terrifying with Les Bleus capable of out-scoring any opponent. Zidane’s lack of tactical principles might not matter due to the level of attacking talent of his new team just as it didn’t matter much for Deschamps.In Kylian Mbappé, Zidane has inherited one of the best players in the world. The Real Madrid forward hasn’t always been the easiest to coach as an individual and doesn’t offer much on the defensive side of the ball, but France has always seen the best version of Mbappé. He is at his most influential in the blue of his national team.“For French people, he means a great deal – he’s a legend, he’s the nation’s ‘Zizou’, he represents elegance, greatness,” said Mbappé when asked for his opinion on Zidane’s appointment. “He made his mark on the history of the national team as a player and he had some truly iconic moments. He’s perhaps the player who most embodies the France team. He’s one of those players who transcended generations. He left an indelible mark on the history of French football.”As the most iconic member of the France team that won the World Cup on home soil in 1998, Zidane’s legacy as a national hero is already secure. In a sense, he has nothing to lose by taking over as Les Bleus boss. Zidane has more credit in the bank than any new France manager in history.Zidane is an anomaly in the modern game. At a time when every manager at the elite level seemingly has a philosophy and consistent values that underpin their view of the game, the Frenchman’s approach is vibes-based. That could work for him as an international manager even better than it did for him in the club game.France under Deschamps were successful, but not always entertaining. Some fans believed Deschamps restricted Les Bleus as an attacking outfit when Mbappé and co should have been unleashed. Zidane might decide to do that. He might not. Nobody really knows what to expect from the great enigma of modern management now that he’s finally taken on a new challenge.(Cover image from IMAGO)You can follow every Nations League game on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.Add FotMob as a preferred news source on Google by clicking – here.Zinedine Zidane will take charge of his first matches as France’s new manager in the extended September and October international break.By Graham RuthvenZinedine Zidane just had to bide his time. The three-times Champions League-winning manager could have taken any other job after leaving Real Madrid (for a second time) in 2021. He surely had offers. Zidane, however, remained patient as France’s next national team manager in waiting.That patience paid off when the 54-year-old was officially named Les Bleus boss after the World Cup, confirming the worst kept secret in international football. Zidane was long seen as the natural heir to Didier Deschamps and now the former midfielder will get his chance to reshape the French national team in his own image.France fixtures during this international breakWhat that image is, though, is unclear. While Zidane enjoyed incredible success as a manager over two spells at Real Madrid, winning three Champions League titles and two LaLiga titles, as well as two European Super Cups and two Club World Cups for good measure, he never had much of an identifiable playing style.Zidane was the ultimate man-manager during his two managerial stints at the Santiago Bernabéu. The former Ballon d’Or winner instantly commanded the respect of Real Madrid’s superstars in a way some of his successors in the job were never able to do. Zidane managed by aura, and it worked. At no point, however, did Zidane have an overarching tactical philosophy. Under his stewardship, Real Madrid played in quick transition. They were never able to control games through possession. Most of the time, they didn’t need to, but Zidane’s Real Madrid certainly weren’t revered for their tactical structure.In many ways, Zidane’s Real Madrid played a similar brand of football to the style professed by Deschamps over 14 years as France boss. This should make the handover of managerial power a smooth one. There is a lot of stylistic overlap between Zidane’s game and Deschamps-ball.Zidane’s trophy record at Real MadridThe problem for Zidane, though, is that after nearly a decade-and-a-half of stodgy, conservative football under Deschamps, many French fans are ready for something different. They broadly want a more modern style of play and Zidane, for all his glittering success as a player and manager, might not be the man to deliver this.Zidane has picked five new faces in his first France squad for the UEFA Nations League matches against Türkiye, Belgium and Italy. Liverpool centre back Jérémy Jacquet is expected to feature while Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul, Como midfielder Lucas Da Cunha, Inter Milan’s Andy Diouf and Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes have all been included.France’s squad is one of the most talented in the international arena right now. Their forward line is terrifying with Les Bleus capable of out-scoring any opponent. Zidane’s lack of tactical principles might not matter due to the level of attacking talent of his new team just as it didn’t matter much for Deschamps.In Kylian Mbappé, Zidane has inherited one of the best players in the world. The Real Madrid forward hasn’t always been the easiest to coach as an individual and doesn’t offer much on the defensive side of the ball, but France has always seen the best version of Mbappé. He is at his most influential in the blue of his national team.“For French people, he means a great deal – he’s a legend, he’s the nation’s ‘Zizou’, he represents elegance, greatness,” said Mbappé when asked for his opinion on Zidane’s appointment. “He made his mark on the history of the national team as a player and he had some truly iconic moments. He’s perhaps the player who most embodies the France team. He’s one of those players who transcended generations. He left an indelible mark on the history of French football.”As the most iconic member of the France team that won the World Cup on home soil in 1998, Zidane’s legacy as a national hero is already secure. In a sense, he has nothing to lose by taking over as Les Bleus boss. Zidane has more credit in the bank than any new France manager in history.Zidane is an anomaly in the modern game. At a time when every manager at the elite level seemingly has a philosophy and consistent values that underpin their view of the game, the Frenchman’s approach is vibes-based. That could work for him as an international manager even better than it did for him in the club game.France under Deschamps were successful, but not always entertaining. Some fans believed Deschamps restricted Les Bleus as an attacking outfit when Mbappé and co should have been unleashed. Zidane might decide to do that. He might not. Nobody really knows what to expect from the great enigma of modern management now that he’s finally taken on a new challenge.(Cover image from IMAGO)You can follow every Nations League game on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.Add FotMob as a preferred news source on Google by clicking – here.