ATLANTA (AP) — Drake Baldwin doubled to center field in the 11th inning to score Ha-Seong Kim from first base and the Atlanta Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-5 on Friday night in the opening game of a key NL East series.
The first-place Braves extended their lead over the Phillies to five games. The teams split a four-game series in Philadelphia that began last Friday.
Luis Arraez's single to left field off Didier Fuentes (7-2) in the 11th drove in designated runner Garrett Stubbs to give Philadelphia a 5-4 lead. Kim's single off Brooks Raley (5-6) in the bottom of the inning drove in Ozzie Albies to tie it. Baldwin followed with the winning double.
Phillies right-hander Jonathan Bowlan blew a 3-2 lead in the ninth. Bowlan gave up a one-out single to Mike Yastrzemski. Pinch-runner DaShawn Keirsey Jr., who was recalled before the game, scored from first on Sean Murphy's single up the middle and center fielder Derek Hill's fielding error.
Aaron Nola gave up homers to Matt Olson in the first and Austin Riley in the seventh. Braves left-hander Chris Sale allowed three runs on only three hits in seven innings but struggled with two outs in the second. Edmundo Sosa singled before Sale walked Bryan De La Cruz and hit J.T. Realmuto with a pitch to load the bases. Derek Hill doubled off the center-field wall to drive in three runs.

#lead

ATLANTA (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays were prevented from possibly becoming the first team to clinch a playoff berth when Martín Pérez threw seven scoreless innings and Austin Riley's run-scoring single in the eighth inning gave Atlanta its first lead of the series in the Braves' 3-1 win Thursday.
Seeking its first division ****** le since 2021, Tampa Bay entered with a four-game AL East lead and would have clinched no worse than a wild card with a victory and a loss by Texas to Seattle or the Chicago White Sox to Pittsburgh.
Riley's hit came after pinch-hitter Ozzie Albies' had his first triple of the season, a drive against Kevin Kelly (6-4). Light-htting Ha-Seong Kim tacked on a two-run single for the offensively struggling Braves that proved crucial when Victor Mesa Jr. led off the ninth with a homer against Raisel Iglesias.
Iglesias bounced back to get the final three outs for his 32nd save in 35 chances for the Braves, who began the day with a three-game NL East lead.
Didier Fuentes (6-2) pitched a scoreless eighth for the win, which sent the Braves into an important series against second-place Philadelphia with a big lift.

#Braves #tampa

It was just not meant to be on Monday for the Braves. Kyle Schwarber once again went deep for the only run in the game, but the story was the dominance of Jesus Luzardo during his complete game shutout against the Braves in a 1-0 win for the Phillies. Grant Holmes was outstanding once again, but the offense never could get going.
As a result, the Braves earned a series split with the Phillies. While the offense still had plenty of struggles, the kept their division lead the same. Furthermore, they earned the tiebreaker by winning the season series, essentially making the division lead five games. You have to feel that makes the weekend a success, as long as the Braves continue the momentum as the schedule remains tough over the next few weeks.
With plenty to break down from the weekend, Mark Bowman looks at the performances of Holmes, Didier Fuentes and Ronald Acuna Jr.
Here is plenty more on the the excellent weekends from J.R. Ritchie and Connor Essenburg.
Reynaldo Lopez looks to be ready to return on Wednesday for the Braves. Furthermore, Bryce Elder is currently limited to the bullpen due to ongoing knee discomfort.

#Phillies #furthermore

The way that we dress often reflects how we feel – and vice versa, what we wear can impact our mood, too. It's why we often turn to jogging bottoms and hoodies when we're depressed, or dressing fabulously when we're happy. Indeed, many of us dress for how we want to feel, with the dopamine-inducing effects of clothes becoming a popular sartorial philosophy. This is certainly the case for 58-year-old Canadian singer Celine Dion, who has debuted a series of frivolous and fun looks ahead of her comeback concert on September 12.
Celine Dion chats with fans as she leaves her apartment before heading to rehearsals for her Paris concerts - Didier Ferey/Shutterstock
The singer – known for hit Nineties power ballads including My Heart Will Go On and It's All Coming Back To Me – will perform 10 shows over five weeks at the Paris La Défense Arena, after taking a six-year break due to ill health. She suffers from a rare neurological condition, Stiff Person Syndrome, which causes stiff muscles in the arms, legs and torso, and can be extremely painful. At one point, the syndrome made it difficult for Dion to sing.
Following years of treatment, Dion is now ready to perform again. And her attitude to fashion proves it, as she's showcased a variety of different sartorial personalities in the run up – from tailoring with jeans, to the classic "little black dress".
Dion wore a chic Alaïa trench coat and cut-out books to greet fans as she arrived in Paris - Marc Piasecki/GC Images

#often #feel

Vincent Kompany and Bayern Munich have received a major injury boost ahead of their opening UEFA Champions League game against Bodø/Glimt on Thursday. Serge Gnabry, who hasn't played since last season's Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid in April, returned to full team training on Monday, according to Bild.
Eager to make up for lost time following his adductor tear, it's quite possible that Gnabry could return to the squad as early as Thursday, which could have consequences for summer signing Ismael Saibari. The duo will compete for the No.10 spot behind Harry Kane, a position that has also been occupied by fellow summer arrival Nathaniel Brown, in the absence of Jamal Musiala.
Kompany, therefore, has plenty of options to keep things interesting. Notably, following Bayern's 0-0 draw against Bundesliga returnees Schalke 04, Didi Hamann criticised Saibari's performance. "Saibari is a wonderful footballer," he told Sky90. "But he's too slow. He's not fast at all, he's like a poor Kane.
"They say Saibari can play four positions. I think the only position Saibari can play is behind Kane, because he's too slow on the wing. Gnabry is a class above him there."
GGFN | Daniel Pinder

#kompany #league #following

The scene in Bilbao, in 2024, foreshadowed the change that would come. Michele Kang, the owner of OL Lyonnes, strode around the edge of the pitch in the San Mames to greet the travelling supporters of the women's football powerhouse, who were buoyed by her ambition and intent to invest. Barcelona won 2-0 to lift their third Women's Champions League **** le in four years, thanks to goals from their two Ballon d'Or winners Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas. But while Kang, the South Korean-born American billionaire and philanthropist, vowed that Lyonnes would return stronger, her sphere of influence was also primed to have an impact elsewhere.
As well as the French champions, Kang owned two other teams as part of her multi-club Kynisca group, the US side Washington Spirit and the London City Lionesses, based out of Bromley and playing in the second tier of English women's football. Two years on, driven by Kang's vision and fuelled by her deep pockets, London City have secured promotion and undergone a remarkable makeover. From that Champions League final alone, they have signed not just Putellas, making the Spain international and World Cup winner the biggest overseas signing in Women's Super League history, but two of her Barcelona team-mates in Mapi Leon and Jana Fernandez. From sister club Lyonnes, London City have signed two of their starting forwards in Kadidiatou Diani and Delphine Cascarino, as well as midfielder Danielle van de Donk.
Michele Kang celebrates London City's promotion to the Women's Super League in 2025 (Getty)
Within two years, London City have disrupted women's football and have now set their sights on challenging for the WSL **** le. It has not come cheap: Putellas was a free transfer but is one of the highest-paid women's footballers in the world at around £1m per year. Before the new season, London City have also signed former England goalkeeper Mary Earps from Paris Saint-Germain and have built a team set on challenging **** nal and Chelsea's dominance in the capital. In terms of transfer fees within the WSL, only **** nal and Chelsea have come close to matching the £1m London City paid PSG for midfielder Grace Geyoro last summer. Their position is also a unique one. Of the 14 teams in this season's expanded WSL, London City are the only independent outfit with no affiliation to a men's club, yet their spending comfortably exceeds that of Manchester United and Liverpool, despite the riches that flow from the Premier League.
Kang is the driving force. The 67-year-old, who made her fortune through healthcare technology in the US, is an investor in the true sense of the word, believing in the untapped value and potential of women's sports. Her philanthropy has extended to making $30m and $4m donations to US Soccer and USA Rugby respectively, the latter just hours after watching the US women's rugby sevens team win bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics. London City are likely to make a financial loss in their second season o

The names just kept coming, one after the other: Alexia Putellas, a two-time Ballon d'Or winner; Mary Earps, named the best women's goalkeeper by FIFA in 2022 and 2023; Mapi Leon, a four-time Champions League winner; and Kadidiatou Diani, who has earned more than 100 caps for France.
But how are the London City Lionesses, owned by American businesswoman Michele Kang, complying with the Women's Super League's financial rules to pay these big-name players?
Invest before revenue.
Kang, a Korean-American businesswoman, bought the club in 2023, helping them win promotion to the WSL in 2025. Finishing sixth in their debut top-flight season was respectable, but this summer, they have gone big. London City have splashed out on star players — albeit mostly on free transfers — for two reasons: they want to qualify for the Champions League and increase their revenue as soon as possible.
Earnings have to rise so they can afford to pay this set of players. London City are banking on marquee names attracting larger sponsorship deals and a new fanbase that will increase revenue down the line. On Thursday they announced a first-of-its-kind multi-year front-of-shirt partnership with Nike. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Kang, however, said the value exceeds some Premier League men's teams' shirt deals and the $4million (£2.9 m) annual value of the NWSL's Atlanta expansion franchise's recent front-of-shirt agreement, believed to be the wealthiest jersey sponsorship in women's sports.

#city

In 2025, Didier Fuentes made his MLB debut amid a lost season for the Atlanta Braves. In four starts, Fuentes went 0-3 with a 13.85 ERA. As with many young pitchers, Fuentes struggled with command and the long ball. In only 13.0 innings, he walked six batters and gave up six home runs.
The #Braves today selected RHP Didier Fuentes to the major league roster and designated RHP José Ruiz for **** ignment.
— Atlanta Braves (Braves) June 20, 2025
After just four starts, the Braves had seen enough and sent him back down to the minors for the remainder of the season in early July. Spring training gave Fuentes a chance to make an impression. Unexpectedly, he made the Opening Day roster and was set to be part of Atlanta's bullpen. After making his season debut on March 29, the Braves sent him back down to the Gwinnett Stripers in hopes of him becoming a starter once again.
He made his first (and only) start of the season against the Washington Nationals on April 22. In that game, he pitched three innings, allowing seven hits and four earned runs. However, he did strike out seven and allow only one walk. While Fuentes didn't have the best start, it was clear he had a future in the bullpen.

#season

Willem II have announced the signing of goalkeeper Maxime Delanghe on loan from Cercle Brugge until the end of the season. Cercle Brugge have announced that there is not a purchase agreement as part of the loan deal. With Willem II's first choice goalkeeper Thomas Didillon-Hödl having suffered a long-term injury, the side clearly felt the need to bring in a replacement. Karst de Leeuw has started the previous two games for Willem II, and will likely now compete with Delanghe for the starting spot.
Delanghe returns to Dutch football for the first time since 2022, when he left PSV to join Lierse. Delanghe had played for Jong PSV but never made an appearance for the senior side. After 18 appearances for Lierse, Delanghe joined Cercle Brugge on a free transfer in the summer of 2023. During the 2024/2025 season he became the clubs first choice goalkeeper, going on to play 32 games. Last season he played 18 games but was eventually dropped in favour of Warleson. The Brazilian has since left the club, but Cercle Brugge brought in former KV Mechelen goalkeeper Gaëtan Coucke this summer to be their new number one.
Willem II have picked up one point from their opening three games in the Eredivisie, conceding 10 goals in that time.
GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson

#season #first

ATLANTA (AP) — Michael Harris II hit a two-out, two-run double in the eighth inning to lift the Atlanta Braves to a 2-1 win over the Colorado Rockies, the sixth straight for the National League East leaders.
Brent Suter (2-2) pitched 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief and picked up his first victory since joining the Braves at the trade deadline. Rookie Didier Fuentes allowed two baserunners in the ninth but retired Jake McCarthy to end the game and pick up his third save.
Harris lifted a fly ball to left center field that was just out of the diving reach of Cole Carrigg and scored Matt Olson from second and Mauricio Dubón from first.
Scheduled Rockies starter Ryan Feltner was scratched Saturday afternoon due to illness and replaced with Zach Agnos as manager Warren Schaeffer went with a bullpen game, using six pitchers. Jaden Hill (0-3) surrendered Harris' double in the eighth.
The Rockies entered the game with an MLB-worst 5.54 team ERA but came within four outs of just their second shutout of the season.

#harris #Rockies

The NWSL returns with a potential playoff preview between top sides, San Diego Wave and Utah Royals.
URFC are healthy, meanwhile SDW are a bit shorthanded going into the matchup.
Here's the latest availability report:
SAN DIEGO WAVE FC
OUT: Trinity Armstrong (Knee – SEI), Gia Corley (Lower Leg), Dudinha (Knee – SEI), Kenza Dali (Lower Leg), Didi Haracic (Lower Leg), Cat Macario (Heel), Kiki Pickett (Ankle)
QUESTIONABLE: Kimmi Ascanio (Thigh)
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: None

#knee #nwsl #Royals #armstrong

CHICAGO (AP) — Grant Holmes took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, Austin Riley doubled and singled to drive in Atlanta's runs, and the Braves topped the Chicago White Sox 2-0 on Thursday to end a three-game slide.
Holmes didn't allow a hit until Andrew Benintendi lined a single to left with no outs in the seventh in the matchup between division leaders. The right-hander was relieved by Didier Fuentes after the hit, which followed a leadoff walk to Miguel Vargas.
The 30-year-old Holmes (8-5) walked three and struck out three in a six-plus inning, 94-pitch outing. Fuentes closed out the seventh by striking out the side and stranding two runners. Dylan Lee followed with a perfect eighth and Raisel Iglesias tossed a 1-2-3 ninth for his 26th save to complete a one-hitter.
Atlanta's Mauricio Dubón had three hits and scored a run.
White Sox starter Anthony Kay (9-6) yielded two runs on five hits in six-plus innings, walking one and striking out six. Chicago has dropped three of four.

#Chicago #holmes #followed

CHICAGO (AP) — Grant Holmes took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, Austin Riley doubled and singled to drive in Atlanta's runs, and the Braves topped the Chicago White Sox 2-0 on Thursday to end a three-game slide.
Holmes didn't allow a hit until Andrew Benintendi lined a single to left with no outs in the seventh in the matchup between division leaders. The right-hander was relieved by Didier Fuentes after the hit, which followed a leadoff walk to Miguel Vargas.
The 30-year-old Holmes (8-5) walked three and struck out three in a six-plus inning, 94-pitch outing. Fuentes closed out the seventh by striking out the side and stranding two runners. Dylan Lee followed with a perfect eighth and Raisel Iglesias tossed a 1-2-3 ninth for his 26th save to complete a one-hitter.
Atlanta's Mauricio Dubón had three hits and scored a run.
White Sox starter Anthony Kay (9-6) yielded two runs on five hits in six-plus innings, walking one and striking out six. Chicago has dropped three of four.

#three

In the midst of a slump, especially at the plate, the Braves were hoping that Tyler Mahle could delicer another strong start to help the Braves tie up the series in Minneapolis.
There were 5 batted ****** over 100 MPH across both teams in the first inning, but two of the three against Mahle produced two runs, on a loud Jeffers double and a mammoth Bell homer. After that, Mahle generally struggled to miss bats, but didn't give up much loud contact and was extremely efficient, needing only 76 pitches to complete 6.2 innings, keeping the Twins at just the 2 runs with a little help from Dylan Dodd to strand a batter in the seventh. Only 3 strikeouts and 8 whiffs are well off of Mahle's previous two outings, but
The offense was characteristically quiet with very few baserunners until a Drake Baldwin homer broke the shutout in the sixth.
Harris and Albies singled with two outs in the frame as well, but the Braves were unable to tie up the game, as the Twins went to their bullpen. The offense had nothing going in the seventh or eighth and Dylan Dodd gave way to Didier Fuentes in the eighth with a runner on first. Didier left a couple of pitches over the heart of the plate and the Twins took them for a single and a double, tacking on a big two insurance runs for a 4-1 lead heading into the ninth. Michael Harris led off the ninth with a double, but the Braves were unable to do anything else in the inning.
This continues a string of games during which the offense has generally not been good enough. Other than Matt Olson, none of their hitters are performing particularly up to their standards at the moment and the team is just not playing well. They built quite a cushion early in the season, but this next stretch of games is one that could turn that around quickly if they don't step it up. Join us tomorrow at 1:40 PM ET, as the Braves look to salvage this series in the first of four consecutive day games.

#runs #double #games #dylan

Manchester City are blessed to have two elite options to play in the number ten role in their squad. Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki are excellent in the role and both figure to play prominent roles for Enzo Maresca throughout the 2026-27 season. Phil Foden started in the role across Manchester City's three preseason friendlies. He started again yesterday as City suffered a 3-0 defeat to ***** nal in the FA Community Shield. Cherki replaced him on the hour-mark. Phil Foden has a full preseason behind him, while Rayan Cherki only returned to City last Wednesday after his World Cup duties with France. Looking at who should start in the number ten role for Enzo Maresca's side, Rayan Cherki should be the favourite.
Earlier this summer, Phil Foden signed a contract extension with Manchester City. It is clear that City have full faith in the England international. Foden remains an important player for his team. He has gotten to work after a difficult 2024-25 season and seen a drop off last season after he began the 2025-26 season brightly. After missing out on selection in England's World Cup squad, Phil Foden should benefit from a full preseason working with Enzo Maresca and his teammates.
However, Foden's form over the three friendlies Manchester City have played and in yesterday's FA Community Shield fixture against ***** nal has been patchy. There have been flashes of quality shown by Foden. On other occasions he looks like a player still battling to return to his best. That is to be expected given how far back Phil Foden is coming back from in terms of his form.
If you were looking at who is more likely to start in the number ten role next weekend against Bournemouth in Manchester City's opening Premier League fixture and to begin the 2026-27 season, perhaps Phil Foden is the favourite. However, he does face stiff competition for that role from Rayan Cherki.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup was a frustrating experience for Rayan Cherki. He spent the majority of the tournament on the periphery of the French squad due to the vast array of attacking talent at Didier Deschamps' disposal. That disappointment could fuel Cherki to take his game to another level to avoid such disappointment in the future.

#foden #manchester #World

What has become extremely evident this summer is that Bayern Munich had no intention of even considering a sale of star winger Michael Olise.
However, there was a prevailing theory that every man must surely has his price.
Maybe not per Didi Hamann:
Dietmar Hamann has explained to GOAL the only way that a move to Real Madrid happens for Michael Olise, with it possible that Bayern Munich would snub a €200 million-plus (£171m/$231m) bid for the France international. It has been suggested that the Blancos are, in their search for more 'Galacticos,' prepared to part with a record-shattering transfer fee.
The Blancos have no need to spend big on Olise in the current window, but may explore that option again in the not too distant future. The 24-year-old is said to have seen his head turned by interest from Santiago Bernabeu.

#hamann #didi

ATLANTA (AP) — Bryce Elder pitched one-hit ball over seven innings, Drake Baldwin drove in two runs and the Atlanta Braves won their season-high seventh in a row, beating the Miami Marlins 4-1 on Wednesday night.
Elder (8-6) turned in another excellent start after a tough June, surrendering his lone hit on a fifth-inning liner to left that Jakob Marsee hustled into a double. Owen Caissie, who had walked, raced to third and scored on Joe Mack's groundout.
That was it against Elder, who is 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA over his last four starts. Didier Fuentes got the final four outs for his second career save after Dylan Dodd allowed a pair of singles in the eighth.
Baldwin capped a three-run second inning against Eury Pérez (5-9) with a two-out single to center that brought home a pair of runners. Austin Riley drove in the first run of the night with a ground-rule double.
Mauricio Dubón sent home Atlanta's other run with his 600th career hit. The RBI single came after a bizarre play in which Michael Harris' apparent steal of third was nullified when Mack's throw ricocheted off Dubón's helmet and flew into the stands, resulting in an interference call on the hitter.

#four #second

Austria ADMIRAL Bundesliga 20262027, Matchday 1, July 31, 2026: Linzer ASK LASK vs. Grazer AK 1902 GAK at Raiffeisen Arena, Linz, Austria. Pictured: Goal celebration, goal, Samuel Oluwabukunmi Adeniran, LASK, against GAK. Photo IIMAGO
Celtic were yesterday drawn against Austrian Champions LASK in the Champions League play-offs, and are arguably the toughest side we could have faced from the list of teams in our half of the draw.
LASK won the Austrian double last year, and in a league that contains RB Salzburg, SK Sturm Graz and our old pals Rapid Vienna it's a magnificent achievement, and showcases the ability they undoubtedly possess.
Managed by former Austrian International Didi Kuhbauer, LASK won both of the top honours in Austria, only the second time they had won either trophy in their 126 year history.
Austria ADMIRAL Bundesliga 20262027, Matchday 1, July 31, 2026: Linzer ASK LASK vs. Grazer AK 1902 GAK at Raiffeisen Arena, Linz, Austriafeatured on SKY, interview with Dietmar Kuehbauer, coach, LASK, Dietmar Didi Kuehbauer, before the match against GAK, Raiffeisen Arena, Admiral Bundesliga. Photo IMAGO

#arena

Chelsea have signed Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix (26), both clubs have announced. The two London-based Premier League sides reportedly agreed to a €60m transfer fee for the France international defender. Lacroix has signed a six-year deal with Xabi Alonso's Blues. The former Sochaux and Wolfsburg centre-back underwent his medical on Friday.
Chelsea were in the market for a centre-back due to the uncertainty regarding the futures of several of their defenders, such as Mamadou Sarr, Wesley Fofana or Benoît Badiashile. The Blues went for a Premier League-proven centre-back in Lacroix.
Lacroix only needed two seasons with the Eagles to become one of the league most reliable centre-backs. He joined the South London side in 2024 from Wolfsburg and went on to win the 2025 Emirates FA Cup, the 2025 Community Shield and the 2025-2026 Conference League, totalling 98 appearances across two campaigns with Palace. Lacroix's performances earned him a spot in Didier Deschamps' France World Cup squad.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval

#france

George and Amal Clooney are standing by their French community after evacuating their home as wildfires spread across parts of Europe.
The couple said in a letter to the city's mayor that they left their home in Brignoles, southern France, which a representative for George Clooney confirmed to People in a report published on July 29.
"Dear Didier, at this point we have no idea whether our beautiful home makes it through this terrible moment," the letter said, according to People.

#letter #amal #french #france

After 14 years with FIFA World Cup-winning player and coach Didier Deschamps at the helm, the French national team is now officially under the stewardship of ex-captain Zinedine Zidane.
An appointment which had been largely expected for months, this marks the 54-year-old's first head coaching role since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, where he won La Liga twice and the UEFA Champions League three times across two stints in charge,
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Zidane, who won the World Cup alongside Deschamps in 1998 and reached the Final in 2006, during which he was sent off for headbutting Marco Materazzi, admitted that taking charge of Les Bleus was a lifelong dream come true.
Donald Trump sparks outrage with Harry Kane World Cup comments
Argentina World Cup Final red card rescinded, face potential FIFA disciplinary action

#real

Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé has sent a welcome message to fellow countryman and new international manager Zinedine Zidane on Tuesday.
This of course comes fresh off the former midfielder being unveiled as the latest installation on Les Bleus' bench.
It had long been common knowledge that this summer's World Cup would mark the last major tournament overseen by Didier Deschamps as France headmaster.
Following the country's semi-final elimination at the hands of Spain, Deschamps therefore made official the mutual decision for a change at the helm.
The aforementioned Zidane had been rumoured as the leading candidate to replace his former teammate for some time, with the 54-year-old having repeatedly resisted a return to club management to instead wait for his dream role in the French dugout.

#mbapp #tuesday

One of the best French soccer players of all time will lead the country's men's national team moving forward. Zinedine Zidane was named the new head coach of the club Tuesday.
Zidane, 54, signed a four-year deal with the team.
Zidane has a lot to live up to in the role. France has been one of the best performers in recent World Cups. Prior to finishing in fourth place this year, the team finished as runners-up in 2022 and won it all in 2018.
The team's head coach during that span, Didier Deschamps, announced prior to the 2026 World Cup that it would be his last one with the team, paving the way for Zidane to take over.
This story will be updated.

#prior #best #head

Speaking to local media and Get French Football News during pre-season preparations, Marseille manager Bruno Genesio, has welcomed Zinedine Zidane's appointment as France manager, but insists that Didier Deschamps' achievements during his 14 years in charge of Les Bleus must not be forgotten."I am like all French people," said the Marseille manager. "First of all, I would like to underline the work of Didier Deschamps because we live in a world where people forget things very quickly."
"I am very happy with the arrival of Zinedine Zidane, but I would like to emphasise what Deschamps has done for 14 years. It is exceptional. I feel that sometimes we have lacked some respect concerning that."
Deschamps' departure brought an end to one of the most successful managerial tenures in the history of the France national team. However, attention quickly turned towards his potential successor, with Zidane long considered the natural candidate to take charge.
"As soon as Didier announced his departure, we wanted to have the name of who would replace him," Genesio continued. "We will have someone with legitimacy from his career as a player, but not only that, because what he achieved during his time at Real Madrid, winning the Champions Leagues, was exceptional."
"I think we trust him, his work and his method, which will hopefully keep French football at the highest level for years to come."

#deschamps

Zinedine Zidane has been confirmed as head coach of the France national team, taking over from Didier Deschamps following their World Cup semi-final exit, and admitted he was emotional at his unveiling
Deschamps announced in January 2025 that he would step down following this summer's World Cup, with France knocked out in the last four by European champions Spain in a 2-0 defeat.
Zidane had been out of a managerial post since leaving Real Madrid, where he won three Champions League and two La Liga ***** les, in 2021.
Zinedine Zidane won three consecutive Champions League crowns with Real Madrid (Getty)
But the former France captain had been widely touted as a potential replacement for Deschamps, who helmed the national side for 14 years, and has been installed on a long-term deal.

#champions #zinedine #madrid

Zinedine Zidane was appointed France coach on Tuesday, as widely expected, following the departure of Didier Deschamps, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced.
Zidane, 54, had long been viewed as the leading candidate for the role and had been waiting for an opportunity to take charge of the national team for several years.
He will replace Deschamps, whose tenure began in 2012 and ended earlier this month after France finished fourth at the World Cup.
Deschamps guided France to 2018 World Cup glory and the final four years later.
"For me, it's an immense joy... being able to become the coach of this French team. I don't have any other words," said Zidane, who takes over on a four-year deal that runs until the 2030 World Cup co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

#france #World #years #four

The French Football Federation have called the appointment of Zinedine Zidane as a meeting of a legend in the history of Les Bleus
Zidane has been confirmed as the new head coach of theFrance national team, returning to the dugout for the first time since leaving Real Madrid in 2021.
The 54-year-old replaces Didier Deschamps, whose 14-year reign concluded after this summer's World Cup.
Zidane has signed a deal until the 2030World Cup and will lead a talented France side into the next major tournament cycles.
The three-time Champions League winner is regarded as, arguably, France's finest ever footballer and French Football Federation chief Philippe Diallo has called his appointment a landmark moment for the country.

#french #Football #appointment #year

Zinédine Zidane has been officially introduced today by French FA president Philippe Diallo as Didier Deschamps' successor in the dugout for Les Bleus.Zidane faced the media this morning at the French FA's Parisian headquarters alongside Diallo. The former Real Madrid head coach has penned a four-year contract with France.
Diallo has explained that he initiated contact with Zidane in February 2025, a couple of weeks after Deschamps made official his decision to step down as manager after the 2026 World Cup. Zidane started his remarks by sending a message of support to the firefighters battling massive forest fires in southwestern France as well as a congratulatory message to his predecessor, Deschamps.
Zidane went on to say, that during his five-year break from management, he turned down numerous proposals because he only had the France job on his mind. "I turned them all down for the French national team, because it's the only thing I wanted to do after my experience at Real Madrid. The only thing that motivates me is being able to work for this team and for it to continue winning." Zidane added that today was the best day of his coaching career.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval

#diallo #madrid

Zinédine Zidane is the new manager of the French national team after signing a contract until 2030.
France finished fourth at the 2026 World Cup under Didier Deschamps, losing 6-4 in a remarkable third-place play-off to England after having been defeated at the semi-final stage by eventual winners Spain.
"I've often said it: there's nothing greater than the French National Team," the former player said on his appointment.
"It is therefore a joy and, of course, a great source of pride to become the manager of this French National Team. It's also a responsibility. I want to thank [FFF] President Philippe Diallo, the Executive Committee, and the French Football Federation for their confidence and acknowledge the fourteen years of service from Didier and his staff. I also have a special thought today for all my coaches.
"Needless to say, I have high ambitions for the French National Team."

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Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has been confirmed as the new 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 since leaving Real Madrid for a second time as head coach in 2021.
The 54-year-old, widely considered to be France's greatest player, will sign a contract that will see him lead the nation through the 2030 World Cup qualifiers.
On being appointed, he said it was "a great source of pride" to lead the French national side following their fourth-place finish at the World Cup.

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