Legendary midfielder Zinedine Zidane has been named the new head coach of the French national team Les Bleus. He replaces Didier Deschamps after guiding Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
The appointment was announced by the French Football Federation (FFF) on Tuesday, and Zidane, aged 54, will take over from Deschamps starting in October. Deschamps' tenure began in 2012 and ended earlier this month after France finished fourth at the 2026 World Cup.
Zidane, who has not coached since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, 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.
‘It's an immense joy... about being able to become the coach of this French team. I don't have any other words,’ said Zidane during the announcement at the FFF headquarters in Paris.
The former Real Madrid star, who scored twice in the 1998 World Cup final victory over Brazil and also won the 2000 European Championship as a player, has coached only one club, Real Madrid.
‘I think it's a completely different job, that's for sure,’ said Zidane. ‘I've experienced the club side of it. Now this is something new for me, but it doesn't scare me.’
Zidane will follow in the footsteps of former international teammates Laurent Blanc, who coached the national side from 2010 to 2012, and Deschamps.
‘I'm going to give everything so that this team keeps on winning. That's it, the only thing that drives me is being able to work for this France team and making sure it keeps on winning,’ Zidane added.
He will take over on a four-year deal that runs until the 2030 World Cup co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
Zidane's first game at the helm of France will come away to Turkey in the UEFA Nations League on September 25. His first match at home will be against Italy at the Stade de France on October 2.
