Patrick has spent the last three weeks following the Tour de France with our friends from Escape Collective. This post was originally published on Escape Collective on July 27. Defector readers can now get a six-month free trial of Escape Collective, with ad-free and independent coverage that goes beyond the Tour de France. Claim the … Read more
In September, the France national team will have a new face on the touchline for the first time in 14 years. By the time the appointment was announced on Tuesday morning, it had long been an open secret that Zinedine Zidane would succeed Didier Deschamps this summer. Talks between the former Real Madrid manager and … Read more
Zinedine Zidane has been appointed as France’s new head coach, replacing Didier Deschamps at the helm of the team he led to glory as arguably their greatest ever player. The French football federation president, Philippe Diallo, announced Zidane’s appointment at the FFF headquarters in Paris on Tuesday, saying he has been given a four-year contract. … Read more
Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has been confirmed as the head coach of the France national team. Didier Deschamps, France’s longest-serving manager, ended his 14-year stint in charge after the nation’s semi-final exit to Spain at the 2026 World Cup. Zidane, a World Cup winner with France in 1998, has been out of management … Read more
Former France international Karim Benzema has offered his total institutional and personal backing for Zinedine Zidane ahead of his expected appointment as head coach of Les Bleus. The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner labeled his former Real Madrid boss a true “legend” and a “big brother”. Benzema Rolls Out The Red Carpet For ‘Big Brother’ Benzema … Read more
France captain Kylian Mbappé has reached out to the nation with a deeply personal open letter following the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup. The Real Madrid superstar expressed his gratitude to the supporters and his teammates while reflecting on a tournament that ended in heartbreak for the Bleus in North America. Mbappé Reflects On … Read more
Chelsea are on the verge of completing a $69 Million for Crystal Palace center-back Maxence Lacroix. The 26-year-old French international is set to undergo a medical before signing a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge, while Palace actively seek a replacement ahead of the new campaign. Blues Close On Lacroix According to The Athletic, Chelsea are … Read more
Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise surprised local football enthusiasts in New York City by unexpectedly taking part in a public recreational match. Having recently concluded his international campaign with France at the World Cup, the 24-year-old was spotted playing in socks, earning widespread praise for his grounded love for the game. Olise Joins Street Match … Read more
Manchester United have struck an agreement for France international. The Red Devils have kicked off their summer rebuild under new manager Michael Carrick with four new signings and a couple of failed pursuits, as the club prepares for a return to the Champions League. While Elliot Anderson and Matheus Fernandes have ended up with rivals, … Read more
France’s new coach will be announced next Tuesday, when Zinedine Zidane is widely expected to replace Didier Deschamps. The French Football Federation said in a statement on Thursday that its president, Philippe Diallo, will name the coach at a news conference at the headquarters in Paris. The 54-year-old Zidane has not coached since leaving Real … Read more