Zinedine Zidane has been appointed head coach of the France national team, succeeding Didier Deschamps after Les Bleus’ disappointing end to the 2026 World Cup.
Deschamps stepped down following France’s semi-final defeat to eventual champions Spain. Their campaign ended on a sour note with a 6-4 loss to England in the third-place playoff. During his 14 years in charge, he oversaw 185 matches and won 120 of them, leading France to the 2018 World Cup, the 2020-21 Nations League title, and finals at Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup.
His successor is one of the most celebrated figures in French football history.
Zidane, 54, captained France to World Cup glory in 1998 and returns to coaching for the first time since leaving Real Madrid in 2021. Across two spells in charge of the Spanish giants, he won three consecutive Champions League titles and two La Liga crowns.
He has signed a four-year contract and will lead France through the next World Cup cycle. His first match in charge will be a Nations League trip to Turkey on 25 September, followed by a home fixture against Italy at the Stade de France on 2 October.
The appointment brings an end to years of speculation linking Zidane with the national team job. He had long made clear his desire to one day coach France. In a 2022 interview with L’Equipe, he said he wanted to manage Les Bleus and “come full circle” with the national side, describing representing France as the greatest experience of his career.
Speaking at his unveiling in Paris on Tuesday, Zidane said the role carried special meaning.
“I’ve often said it: there’s nothing greater than the French national team. So it’s a joy and obviously a great source of pride to become the manager of this French national team.”
He also paid tribute to Deschamps and those who shaped his own career.
“It’s also a responsibility. I want to thank president Philippe Diallo, the executive committee and the French Football Federation for their confidence, and acknowledge the 14 years of service from Didier and his staff. I also have a special thought today for all my coaches. Needless to say, I have high ambitions for the French national team.”
French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo described the appointment as a landmark moment for the national side.
“The appointment of Zinedine Zidane as head coach of the French national team is a source of immense pride for the French Football Federation,” he said. “It marks the meeting of a legend in the history of Les Bleus and a team with rare potential, driven by the highest ambitions.”
Zidane’s relationship with the national team has included both triumph and heartbreak. His final appearance for France came in the 2006 World Cup final against Italy, when he was sent off for headbutting Marco Materazzi before France lost on penalties.
Now, nearly 20 years later, he returns to lead a squad still built around Kylian Mbappe. The forward finished as the top scorer at the 2026 World Cup with 10 goals and surpassed Lionel Messi as the tournament’s all-time leading scorer with 22.
France have no shortage of talent. Zidane’s challenge is turning that talent into trophies.
His long-awaited return to management begins in Turkey in September, marking the start of a new era for Les Bleus.
By: Andrews Kwesi Yeboah