France - Return Of A Legend

France Manager Resigns

Didier Deschamps today resigned from the post of manager of the French National Football Team. The news was announced in a press conference in Paris, in which Deschamps said "I feel my time here was up. It will be sad to leave but I believe it is the right move for me, my family and my career."

Deschamps took over in 2012 following the resignation of Laurent Blanc after the 2012 European Championships. During Deschamps' time in charge france went through a bad spell and they currently sit 23rd in the Fifa world rankings.

Current favourites for the job include current Real Madrid assistant Zinedine Zidane, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and current OL boss Remi Garde.

Zidane Appointed New France Manager

In a press conference today It was announced that France legend Zinedine Zidane had been appointed the French national team's new manager. In the press conference Zindane said "It's a dream come true". The appointment of Zindane comes as a shock to most as he has no managerial experience and the only off pitch job he has has is the Assistant Manager at Real Madrid.

Zinedine Zidane made 108 appearances for France and scored 31 goals, winning the FIFA world cup in his native France in 1998 and also the European Championship in 2000. But Most of his career achievements seem overshadowed by the infamous head-butt in the 2006 World Cup final.

France Squad Announced For Friendly Against Egypt

The FFF has announced the 23 man squad for the upcoming friendly against Egypt.

Goalkeepers
Cedric Carrasso
Hugo Lloris
Steve Mandanda

Defenders
Gael Clichy
Mathieu Debuchy
Patrice Evra
Laurent Koscielny
Adil Rami
Bacary Sagna
Mamadou Sakho
Benoit Tremoulinas
Raphael Varane

Midfielders
Hatem Ben Arfa
Yohan Cabaye
Clement Grenier
Blaise Matuidi
Samir Nasri
Paul Pogba
Franck Ribery

Forwards
Karim Benzema
Andre-Pierre Gignac
Olivier Giroud
Bafetimbi Gomis

France Win First Game Under Zindane

France pulled off a 2-1 victory over Egypt today in a game which was manager Zinedine Zindane's first in charge.



Zidane's Notes:

Completely dominated the match, but our finishing was very poor Benzema missed allot of clear cut chances he should have had at least 3 goals. Very impressed with Cabaye scored a 30 yard screamer and passed the ball about the midfield well. Overall we played well, we got loads of shots but we need to work on converting them.

France Announce Squad For Finland And Spain Qualifiers

The FFF have released the 23 man squad to face Finland and Spain in the World Cup qualifiers.

Goalkeepers
Cedric Carrasso
Hugo Lloris
Steve Mandanda

Defenders
Gael Clichy
Mathieu Debuchy
Patrice Evra
Laurent Koscielny
Adil Rami
Bacary Sagna
Mamadou Sakho
Benoit Tremoulinas
Raphael Varane

Midfielders
Hatem Ben Arfa
Yohan Cabaye
Maxime Gonalons
Blaise Matuidi
Dimitiri Payet
Paul Pogba
Franck Ribery
Mathieu Valbuena

Forwards
Karim Benzema
Andre-Pierre Gignac
Bafetimbi Gomis

France Beat Finland 3-0 In Convincing Win

France defeat a weak Finland team 3-0 in Paris. This game was the second under new manager Zinedine Zidane. The next game for the new manager will be a very tricky away tie against Spain.




Zidane's Notes:

Decided to start a few non first team players, it worked well with Gomis scoring a lovely header and Payet with a lovely 30 yard free kick. We managed to shut Finland out very well with them only getting 2 shots the whole game with none of the 2 being on target.

Bafetimbi Gomis <3

France Battle Out 2-2 Draw With World Champions

France managed to hold out to a 2-2 draw against Spain. In a game that Spain were unlucky not to win France will be the happy to settle with the draw.




Zidane's Notes:

The team managed well to hold of the Spanish offence, with the highlight being a 90th minute goal line clearance by Tremoulinas. Both goals by France were very good, Ben Arfa's was a lovely cut inside with a tidy far post finish and Ribery's was a brilliant chip from the edge of the box. One concerning factor was Spain's second goal which was a cross fubled in to the net by Hugo Lloris. This mistake by Lloris has severely damaged his chances of playing in the upcoming friendly against Brazil.

A good match against Spain, you've kept pretty good match, you were pretty dominant in what I see in the statistics.
Good luck in the next match !

France Announce Squad For Upcoming Brazil And Georgia Games.

GoalKeepers
Cedric Carrasso
Hugo Lloris
Steve Mandanda

Defenders
Gael Clichy
Mathieu Debuchy
Patrice Evra
Laurent Koscielny
Mamadou Sahko
Bacary Sagna
Eliaquim Mangala
Rod Fanni

Midfielders
Hatem Ben Arfa
Yohan Cabaye
Samir Nasri
Jeremy Toulalan
Dimitiri Payet
Paul Pogba
Franck Ribery
Mathieu Valbuena

Forwards
Karim Benzema
Olivier Giroud
Bafetimbi Gomis
Loic Remy

Update: Mandanda pulled out due to injury replaced by Douchez

Nice results being unbeaten in your qualifying group especially since you have Spain in your group!

Some nice resutls, and I'm impressed on how you've coped with your group! Might want to give Zouma and Ruffier a look, they could be awesome back-ups for your team! I also don't think you should be calling up Payet :s

France Announce Squad For Mexico Friendly

Goalkeepers
Geoffrey Jourdren
Hugo Lloris
Steve Mandanda

Defenders
Gael Clichy
Mathieu Debuchy
Patrice Evra
Laurent Koscielny
Younes Kaboul
Mamadou Sahko
Eliaquim Mangala
Rod Fanni

Midfielders
Hatem Ben Arfa
Yohan Cabaye
Yoann Gourcuff
Clement Grenier
Dimitiri Payet
Franck Ribery
Blaise Matuidi

Forwards
Karim Benzema
Olivier Giroud
Bafetimbi Gomis
Loic Remy
Kevin Gameiro