French football legend Zinedine Zidane has been appointed as the head coach of the France national team, succeeding Didier Deschamps after their fourth-place finish in the World Cup. The French Football Federation announced this news on Tuesday.
The former Real Madrid manager joined the tricolore following two decades away from the pitch. His last match under Deschamps was a 6-4 defeat against England in October 2023.
"This team was always something I wanted to do, Zidane told journalists. After Madrid, it's the only thing on my mind - managing the French national team. I didn’t take a club job to achieve that."
"The deal with the presidency came on the very next day after Deschamps announced his retirement in January 2025 as he had planned for Zidane to follow him, the coach reveals."
Zidane is set to start his new role by facing Turkey in an away Nations League match before hosting Italy at the Stade de France in October.
Didier Deschamps, who departed after a staggering 14-year tenure, oversaw 185 matches and 120 victories during his time, leading Les Bleus to multiple titles including the 2018 World Cup.
Zidane shares an enduring bond with team-mate Deschamps from France’s victorious squad in home-land's 1998 World Cup. As a No.10 for Juventus and Real Madrid, Zidane amassed 49 goals and 67 assists over his long career.
"I will soon show my style, Zidane said, driven by the game. I was a Number 10, and what drives me is scoring goals," he added. "I spent 25 years in Spain, so you know what that means. On the pitch, I was a leader. Now it's through experience."
"Winning with France in '98 was the best thing that ever happened to me; winning with my teammates. These four or five years were all about waiting for this day. I'm emotional but incredibly excited. I am happy," Zidane shared.
Following his illustrious playing career, Zidane returned to Real Madrid as assistant coach in 2013 before taking charge from 2016 to 2018 where he won three consecutive Champions League titles, an unprecedented feat.
