
Manu Koné is impressed by the technical brilliance of the new French national coach
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Zinédine Zidane has replaced Didier Deschamps as coach of the French national team. He is a legend of French football and a former coach of Real Madrid.
Every child in France knows that Zinédine Zidane was a great footballer. But actually seeing Zidane kick the ball live still has to be an event. Even for those who can kick pretty well themselves.
France's Manu Koné said he could hardly believe what he was seeing after his new national coach Zidane laced up his football boots to take part in training.
The 54-year-old, once probably the best playmaker in world football, played passes and hit crosses. And amazed his footballers.
»To experience it live is even better«
»What shocked me in the first week of training was his technical repertoire. He hasn't lost any of his skills," said Koné on Tuesday before the upcoming game against Italy at the Stade de France in the Nations League.
“To experience it live is even better, especially at his age,” the 25-year-old continued. Koné, born in 2001, was five years old when Zidane ended his playing career. "The fact that he still masters this technique today means that it must have been incredible in his time."
Zidane's two goals in the 1998 World Cup final against Brazil made him an overnight superstar - while the whole nation celebrated, his face was projected onto the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. This was followed by being awarded the Ballon d’Or as a world footballer. In 2000 he led the French to the European Championship title.
»It is a pleasure to be coached by Zidane, a legend. He told me to play freely and gave me confidence," said Koné. »He was a midfielder, so as a midfielder I listen to everything he says and can only learn at his side. He gives me a lot of advice about my positioning and gives me more responsibility.«
Zidane's last appearance for France was in the 2006 World Cup final, which ended in a penalty shootout defeat to Italy. Zidane was sent off in extra time for his infamous headbutt against Italian defender Marco Materazzi.
Zidane later became a coach and won the Champions League three times with Real Madrid. Now he inherited Didier Deschamps as French national coach. The game against Italy on Friday will be his home debut. He had previously won the away games in Turkey and Belgium 1-0.
“You can only congratulate him on his career,” said Koné. "We'll see that on Friday, the ovation he gets."
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