Showing posts with label Frenchman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Frenchman. Show all posts

Wednesday, 23 September 2026

ISACK HADJAR VOICES RED BULL 'PRIVILLEGE' AFTER RENEWED F1 TRUST

Red Bull has confirmed that Isack Hadjar will remain with the team for the 2027 F1 campaign.


© XPBimages


Isack Hadjar has stated that he feels a sense of “privilege” as a Red Bull driver, having penned an extension with the team for 2027.

The Frenchman joined Red Bull this year after an uplifting rookie campaign in 2025.

Despite his inexperience, Hadjar has left a sound impression at Red Bull this year with a consistent run of results that placed him inside the top six.

He also bagged a maiden podium with the team at the Monaco Grand Prix earlier this year and has been labelled by some as the strongest team-mate Max Verstappen has had since Daniel Ricciardo departed the squad. 

Having made his return from injury in Baku, Red Bull promptly confirmed that he would be kept on for 2027. 

Voicing his reaction, Hadjar commented: “I am really excited to continue with Red Bull Racing.

“I came to this team eight months ago and immediately understood the scale and ambition of this organisation.

“There are so many talented people at the factory, and you’re aware of the privilege of driving for such an incredible team alongside a four-time world champion like Max.”

Red Bull has endured a difficult slip in the pecking order this year - but Hadjar insisted he is motivated to see the team return to the top by continuing to better himself.

“From the moment I signed, I set out to dedicate myself to the team, and with the support of Laurent [Mekies] and everyone in Milton Keynes, I’ve been able to justify the faith they’ve had in me,” he said.

“I’m constantly looking to listen, learn and push myself further every single day, which only makes me more excited about what lies ahead.”

- Fergal Walsh

Saturday, 17 January 2026

FRANCE FOOTBALL MAKES MOVE TO SECURE TOP MANAGER AMID REAL MADRID INTEREST

Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images


The future of Zinedine Zidane will be one of the key monitorables in 2026. The Frenchman, despite being regarded as one of the sought-after managers in world football, has remained a free agent since leaving Real Madrid for the second time in 2021.

It is widely believed that Zidane had been waiting to take over the reins from Didier Deschamps to become the coach of the French national team – his dream job.

After a wait of five years, Zidane’s dream could turn into a reality, with Deschamps expected to step down after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

France football makes a move

However, Zidane has also been a subject of interest for Real Madrid, who are desperately looking for a new coach after the dismissal of Xabi Alonso.

Although the club have hired Alvaro Arbeloa on an interim basis, it is no secret that president Florentino Perez has identified Zidane as his dream option.


Zidane could soon be headed for the French national team job. (Photo by Pablo Cuadra/Getty Images for EA SPORTS FC™ 25)


Keeping that in mind, France football appears to have made the first move to try and secure the services of Zidane, according to L’Equipe.

The French news outlet quotes Philippe Diallo, the president of the French Football Federation, who confirmed that finding a successor for Deschamps is the utmost priority.

The report adds that French football has already started the onboarding process of Zidane, notably by discussing his future staff with the French national team.

This will come as a blow to Real Madrid, who were keen on having Zidane lead the new era at Los Blancos.

But after waiting for five years, it is unlikely Zidane will entertain the offer from Real Madrid and looks likely to replace Deschamps after the World Cup.

- Anas Ali

Tuesday, 30 September 2025

FRENCHMAN BEAUMELLE TAKES OVER AS ANGOLA COACH

Soccer Football - Africa Cup of Nations - Round of 16 - Ivory Coast v Egypt - Douala Stadium, Douala, Cameroon - January 26, 2022 Ivory Coast coach Patrice Beaumelle reacts REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany


Angola have named Patrice Beaumelle as their coach, with the Frenchman taking over a week before their final set of 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

He replaces Pedro Goncalves, fired last week after Angola lost at home to Libya and fell out of the race for a place at the finals in North America next year.

The 47-year-old Beaumelle has been a long-standing fixture on the African coaching circuit, mostly as assistant to compatriot Herve Renard, including a stint with Angola between 2010-2012.

Beaumelle also served as head coach of Zambia and Ivory Coast, and took Algerian club Mouloudia Alger to the group phase of last season’s African Champions League.

He will start his job with World Cup qualifiers in Eswatini on October 8 and Cameroon on October 13 before taking charge of the Angolan side at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco at the end of the year.

- Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Ed Osmond