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Zinédine Zidane has been appointed as the new head coach of the French national football team, ending years of speculation over his return to management after signing a four-year contract with the French Football Federation (FFF).
The appointment follows the departure of Didier Deschamps, who stepped down after leading Les Bleus for 14 years, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup marking the end of his tenure.
The French Football Federation announced Zidane’s appointment on Tuesday, confirming that the former Real Madrid manager will lead France into a new era as preparations begin for the 2028 European Championship and the 2030 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Widely regarded as one of France’s greatest footballers, Zidane succeeds Deschamps after the latter’s successful spell that delivered the 2018 FIFA World Cup title and the 2021 UEFA Nations League trophy, while also guiding France to two additional World Cup finals.
The appointment marks Zidane’s first managerial role since leaving Real Madrid in 2021.
During two spells at the Spanish giants, he established himself as one of the most successful coaches in modern football, winning three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018, a feat unmatched in the competition’s modern era.
Zidane also guided Real Madrid to two La Liga titles, two UEFA Super Cups, two FIFA Club World Cups and two Spanish Super Cups, cementing his reputation as one of Europe’s elite managers.
Before launching his coaching career, Zidane enjoyed one of football’s most decorated playing careers.
The former midfielder inspired France to victory at the 1998 FIFA World Cup on home soil and helped the country win the UEFA European Championship two years later.
He also won the 1998 Ballon d’Or and remains one of the most celebrated figures in French football history.
Following his retirement, Zidane returned to Real Madrid in an advisory role before serving as assistant coach under Carlo Ancelotti.
He later managed Real Madrid Castilla before taking charge of the club’s first team in January 2016.
After resigning following his third consecutive Champions League triumph in 2018, Zidane returned to Real Madrid in 2019 to rebuild the squad, leading the club to the 2019/20 La Liga title before stepping down again in 2021.
Despite being linked with several high-profile managerial positions over the past five years, Zidane remained without a coaching role, repeatedly indicating that managing the French national team was his preferred destination.
Speaking in an interview with L’Équipe in 2022, Zidane said coaching France would represent the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition.
“I want to manage Les Bleus and come full circle. Representing France was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. If it’s meant to be, it will be.”
That ambition has now become reality, with the 54-year-old set to lead one of world football’s most talented squads into the next chapter of its international journey.
