France And Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe appears to have gone after French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet for “disrespect” to Zinedine Zidane After the boss was asked about Les Bleus’ legendary former talisman in the wake of Didier Deschamps’ new contract until 2026.
Le Graet and Deschamps announced that the French tactician will remain in place until after the next FIFA World Cup on Saturday when Zidane has been touted as a potential replacement for Deschamps if the 2022 Qatar The campaign did not go according to plan. France, under Deschamps, reached the final and lost to Argentina On penalties with Mbappe scoring three goals, so the decision to extend the 1998-winning former captain and the 2018-winning head coach was somewhat expected.
However, asked what Zidane would do now that Deschamps has stayed on, Le Graet went on a strange and winding tirade that ignored another 1998 champion and a beaten 2006 finalist who enjoyed managerial success with former club. Real Madrid.
“I would be surprised if he went there,” said Le Graet of Zidane’s Brazil links on RMC Sport. “But he can do what he wants. It’s no worry for me. We never met (Le Graet and Zidane) and we (the FFF) never consider ourselves part with Didier. I couldn’t care less. He can go where he wants – To a big club, a national team. Of course not (asked if Zidane tried to reach him by phone) – I wouldn’t even take the call.”
Despite Le Graet’s strong position in the FFF, 2022 World Cup top scorer Mbappe appeared to aim at his president and rushed to the defense of one of his icons and an immensely popular national figure by calling the huge lack of respect shown.
“Zidane is France – you can’t disrespect a legend like that,” He wrote on Twitter.
Deschamps’ extension means Zidane is unlikely to see the role as France boss available until at least 2024 and the UEFA Euros in Germany Which could mean he returns to the club game in the meantime. According to L’Equipe, Le Graet forced the extension without consulting other FFF members.
An audit of the FFF is due to present its findings in mid-February with Le Graet entering the last full year of his mandate which will expire in 2024 anyway. Graet may even find the cut short.
Sports Minister Amelie Oudea Castera, who is involved in the audit of the federation, was also “damaged” by Le Graet’s “shameful lack of respect” and demanded that the FFF chief “apologize” for going too far with his speech.
