So Zinedine Zidane, the World Cup-winning legend, steps in as the new manager, right after France crashes out of the 2026 World Cup semifinal. Forgive me if I don’t unleash a fanfare. This reeks of a corporate media narrative carefully crafted by outlets like ESPN and The Guardian that glorify his return while glossing over the failures leading to this massive exit. They spin this as a heroic comeback, of legends returning to save the day. Really? Did we forget that the team’s performance was lackluster throughout the tournament?

What’s staggering is how these outlets—like CNN—crave a feel-good angle while ignoring the systemic issues plaguing French football. Zidane is lauded as a savior, but what about asking the tough questions? The team’s management, player development, and overall strategy are still shrouded in darkness. This isn’t just about putting a famous name on a coach’s cap.

While the mainstream fawns over Zidane’s “inspiring presence,” where’s the scrutiny of the players who didn’t deliver? Where’s the accountability for the coaching staff before him that failed to adapt in crunch time? Instead, we get a rush of platitudes and nostalgia, pushing a comforting narrative that ignores cold hard facts.

Expect all this fluff to dominate the headlines as the likes of NBC Sports and Fox Sports jump on the bandwagon, ignoring the glaring issues on the pitch. This isn’t journalism; it’s a pity party masquerading as analysis.