Zinedine Zidane led the French national team to a victory over Belgium, marking a strong start to his tenure as coach with three wins and one draw. After the match, Zidane stayed in Paris to meet with his staff and did not join Robert Pirès at a celebration in Metz. The French Football Federation’s president, Philippe Diallo, visited Gironde to discuss policy with officials and employees from the regional football leagues and districts of Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie. Diallo praised Zidane’s early performance, noting that France had not changed coaches in 14 years and had still achieved strong results in the past decade. Zidane was chosen for his legendary status in French football and his successful coaching career at Real Madrid. Diallo said Zidane aimed to bring fresh ideas and make an impact across all aspects of the team, which currently leads its group in the competition. Diallo acknowledged that while the team’s performance was not without flaws, it had delighted fans and offered hope for future success. Upcoming international tournaments on the French calendar include the Nations League 2027, Euro 2028, and the World Cup 2030. Diallo noted that Zidane’s goal was to win and that he would need to draw inspiration from Spain, a team that has historically posed challenges for France in major competitions. Diallo explained that he had formed a small working group with Zidane, the DTN (Hubert Fournier), and members of the Federation’s Executive Committee to begin a review of how the national team is managed and developed. He emphasized that Zidane could bring valuable experience from Spain, where there is a clear and consistent approach to football from youth teams up to the senior squad, which has proven effective in achieving success. In Spain, the football system is known for its continuity, with a unified playing style that runs from the U15 level all the way to the national team. This consistency has helped Spain achieve strong results in international competitions. Diallo believes that adopting a similar approach could strengthen the French team’s cohesion and coordination between youth coaches and senior-level management. He expressed confidence that Zidane’s experience, both as a player and a coach, would be instrumental in shaping the future direction of French football. The discussions in Gironde are part of a broader effort to modernize the Federation’s strategy and ensure long-term success for the national team. The French Football Federation is looking to implement structural reforms that will improve the coordination between different levels of the football system. Diallo emphasized the importance of creating a more unified vision for the development of French players and teams. By learning from Spain’s model, the Federation hopes to create a more cohesive and effective system that can support the national team in future competitions. Zidane’s appointment is seen as a key step in this process, and his ability to bring new ideas and strategies is expected to play a crucial role in the team’s development. The upcoming months will be critical in determining whether these changes will lead to sustained success for French football.