Zidane takes charge of France in first training session at Clairefontaine

Zinedine Zidane has officially put on the France tracksuit. The 1998 World Cup winner led his first training session as national team head coach on Monday at Clairefontaine, kicking off preparations for a demanding Nations League window against Turkey, Belgium and Italy. The arrival of Didier Deschamps' successor generated massive attention, with more than 100 journalists accredited for the session.

• Zidane oversaw his first training session as France head coach at Clairefontaine.
• Only 12 players took part, those who barely featured at the weekend.
• The coach has scaled back the traditional fashion parade on players' arrival.
• More than 100 journalists attended the workout on the Michel Platini pitch.
• France has four Nations League matches between September 25 and October 5.

Zidane's first session in charge of Les Bleus

The new France boss laced up his boots more than five years after his last spell on a touchline, the one he enjoyed at Real Madrid between 2019 and 2021. On his first day in charge of the French dressing room, barely a dozen players took part in the session: precisely those who played little or nothing for their clubs over the weekend.

Jean Butez, Guillaume Restes, Andy Diouf, Eduardo Camavinga, Michael Olise, Jules Koundé, Maxence Lacroix, Manu Koné, Maghnes Akliouche, Dayot Upamecano, Esteban Lepaul and Lucas Da Cunha were the ones who opened the Zidane era. The much-anticipated reunion between Kylian Mbappé, the national team captain, and the new coach will have to wait a few more days.

Zidane changes the rules from day one at Clairefontaine

The Marseille native's stamp was visible even before the ball started rolling. The French Football Federation released a video showing the arrival of the 23 players called up, and the footage made clear that Zidane has decided to scale back, in his own way, the traditional fashion parade that internationals used to stage when entering the facilities. A symbolic touch, but one that sets the tone for the new era.

Zidane's staff blends familiar faces and legends

To build his backroom team, Zidane has turned to much of the staff that accompanied him at Real Madrid. David Bettoni, his trusted assistant, leads that inner circle. He has also brought Fabien Barthez on board, the 1998 World Cup winner and one of the greatest legends in French goalkeeping, adding further symbolic weight to the new project.

France's Nations League schedule under Zidane

Zidane's official debut will come on September 25 against Turkey. Three days later, France faces Belgium for the first time, then meets Italy on October 2 and closes the window with another clash against the Belgians on October 5. It is a demanding start for a team aiming to fight for the title.

A Nations League full of high-profile benches

Zidane is not the only legend making his debut in this edition of the Nations League. Jürgen Klopp takes charge of Germany, Xavi Hernández steps into the Netherlands job, Mark van Bommel debuts with Belgium and Roberto Mancini returns to the Italian bench. A constellation of top-level coaches that raises the competition's appeal even further.