Zinedine Zidane makes history in his first match as France manager

Zinedine Zidane makes history in his first match as France manager France edged Turkiye in what was Zinédine Zidane’s first game as manager of the France national team (1-0). It is a game that will be remembered in history as the first of the Zidane era rather than for what his side produced on the pitch. While they missed their share of big opportunities, French captain Kylian Mbappé (27) made the difference, with their record goalscorer netting in the second half. Zidane made history with the win. He became the first French manager this century to win his first match in charge of Les Bleus . Before Friday, the last man to achieve that feat at the helm of the French men’s team was his first national team manager, Aimé Jacquet. The former French boss guided the men’s team to a 1-0 win over Italy in an away friendly in 1994. Youri Djorkaeff scored the only goal. Jacquet took over from Gérard Houllier, who departed after France’s failed World Cup campaign ended heartbreakingly, eliminated from the finals on the final kick of the match against Bulgaria in 1993. Jacquet won the 1998 World Cup as manager thanks to a brace from Zizou in the final at the Stade de France. Friday was Zidane’s first match as a manager since 2021, when he left Real Madrid for a second time. Les Bleus’ next match is on Monday, when they face Belgium in Brussels on matchday two of their UEFA Nations League campaign. Following that, Zidane’s men host Italy at the Stade de France on October 2nd, the same team Zidane played his last match as a player in the 2006 World Cup final. Zidane’s final match at the Stade de France as a player took place on May 27, 2006, in a 1-0 friendly win over Mexico, where Zizou earned his 100 th international cap. GFFN | Joel Lefevre