Zinedine Zidane enters a new phase in his coaching career after becoming the frontrunner to take charge of the French national team, succeeding Didier Deschamps. However, the task will not be limited to technical aspects; his management of the relationship with team captain Kylian Mbappe will be one of the key issues determining the success of his tenure.

Mbappe quietly left the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami after France's World Cup journey ended, heading off on vacation, while he had known for months, even before the news leaked to the media, that Zidane would be the new coach of 'Les Bleus'.

The two have known each other well for years and share a friendly and stable relationship. However, Zidane has been careful in recent months to avoid public appearances with the Real Madrid star so that any photo of them together would not become media material that could affect the team's atmosphere before the World Cup. Although he tried to communicate with Mbappe, it was limited to brief contacts without lengthy discussions.

According to French newspaper L'Equipe, Zidane considers building a strong relationship of trust with Mbappe an absolute priority from the first day he takes over. The new coach hopes to replicate the successful model of Didier Deschamps, who maintained constant communication with the team captain, which helped strengthen trust between the two. Additionally, Zidane's presence in the Spanish capital Madrid will facilitate regular meetings with Mbappe at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

Mbappe... Will he continue as a striker, or will things change under Zidane? (AP)

In the short term, Zidane will have to convince Mbappe to maintain his enthusiasm for participating in the UEFA Nations League, even though the player has previously admitted it is not one of his favorite tournaments, in order to ensure a strong start to the new era. The first national team camp in September and October is also expected to be an opportunity to settle one of the most important technical issues: the position Mbappe will occupy on the field.

Under Didier Deschamps, Mbappe gradually became convinced to play as a striker, a choice also adopted by Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid. But the question remains: Will Zidane continue to rely on this role, or will he move his star back to the wing, where he can better exploit his speed and space? This decision is one of the biggest technical challenges facing the new coach.

On another front, Zidane's appointment may face an administrative hurdle regarding his contract with the French Football Federation. The new French law on the governance of professional sports has set a salary cap for officials and employees of sports federations at 450,000 euros per year before taxes, an amount far below the salary Didier Deschamps was receiving.

If Zidane's contract was not signed before the law came into effect, the French federation would have to obtain an official exemption from the French Minister of Sports, Marina Ferrari, to allow a salary above the cap. Many expect approval, given Zidane's status and sporting value.

The minister previously clarified that choosing the national team coach is not within her purview, stressing that her role does not involve determining the identity of the technical director. However, granting the financial exemption makes the ministry an indirectly influential party in finalizing the contract with the new coach and his technical staff, whose salaries may also exceed the legal limit.

This legal clause has sparked widespread criticism in French sports circles. Observers believe it gives political authorities indirect influence over the appointment of the national team coach, a matter that could raise objections from FIFA, which consistently rejects any political interference in the affairs of national federations and the management of football.