Zidane spent just over a month in the lull between international windows, juggling match reviews, staff meetings and a few leisure moments. Did he enjoy the quiet?
After a solid first gathering—three wins and a draw—he voiced frustration at sending players home after fifteen days of work. For my money, the hands‑off phase tested his patience as he sifted through observations and logistical tweaks.
Meticulous remote observation.
Back in Madrid, Zidane balanced family time with constant contact with his technical staff. He admitted he spent most of the five weeks simply watching his pool of potential call‑ups.
The former Real Madrid boss reviewed every player in league and European competition, even replaying select match clips to chase tiny details. He also flagged youngsters who could join the squad later.
Only once had he been seen in the stands, at the Champions Trophy in Lens, yet his deputy David Bettoni, scout Stéphane Plancque and video analyst Farid Tabet worked tirelessly from afar. Weekly, sometimes more frequent, briefings kept everyone—including goalkeeper coach Fabien Barthez—on the same page.
The efficiency overhaul project.
Zidane dug into the first French sequence using data, noting the fluidity of movement but questioning the team’s overall efficiency.
He praised the players’ off‑ball animation but warned the attack needed sharper execution. Possession sat at 68% with a 92% pass success rate, yet the chance conversion ratio left him wanting more.
Padel and supercars.
To gear up for Italy and Turkey, he flew to Paris for strategy meetings at the federation headquarters. Between those sessions he squeezed in padel games with Bettoni, a charity match for Pascal Olmeta’s cause in Bayonne and a stint as Alpine’s ambassador at the auto show, all while eyeing a Nations League quarter‑final berth.