Zinedine Zidane has been named the new head coach of the France men’s national team, taking over after Didier Deschamps stepped aside following France’s fourth-place finish at the World Cup. The French Football Federation confirmed the appointment, with the former Real Madrid boss widely viewed as the standout candidate for the role.
Zidane, 54, had been the long-term frontrunner for the position and had waited for several years for the opportunity to lead Les Bleus. He will succeed Deschamps, whose spell began in 2012 and concluded earlier this month.
Deschamps had delivered major success during his time in charge, winning the 2018 World Cup and then guiding France to the final four again four years later. Zidane now inherits the task of building on that legacy as France look to return to the top level of international football.
Speaking after his confirmation, Zidane described the appointment as a deeply personal moment. “For me, it’s an immense joy… being able to become the coach of this French team. I don’t have any other words,” he said. Zidane’s contract is set for four years, running until the 2030 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
He added: “I’m holding myself back because I have so many emotions inside me. I’m ready for the challenge, that’s what drives me today.”
The appointment follows Zidane’s preparation for the job since leaving Real Madrid in 2021. A former France midfielder who played alongside Deschamps in the 1998 World Cup-winning squad, Zidane has now moved into international management after spending his coaching career at club level with the Spanish giants.
At his unveiling in Paris on Tuesday, Zidane signed autographs and posed for photographs with supporters gathered outside the FFF headquarters. During the event, he stressed that he had pursued the national-team role as his preferred next step.
“The France job was the only one I wanted,” Zidane said. “I’ve had offers over these four or five years to take charge of a club and I turned them all down for the French national team.”
As a player, Zidane’s France career included scoring twice in the 1998 World Cup final victory over Brazil. He also won the 2000 European Championship. In management, however, he has coached only one club—Real Madrid—before now taking charge of a national team.
During his time at Real Madrid, Zidane oversaw a remarkable run of success in the Champions League, leading the club to three successive titles in 2016, 2017 and 2018—an achievement described as unprecedented in the competition’s modern era.
Asked about the shift to a different style of work, Zidane said: “I think it’s a completely different job, that’s for sure. I’ve experienced the club side of it. Now this is something new for me, but it doesn’t scare me.”
Zidane will become the latest figure to follow in the footsteps of previous France coaches from the modern era, including Laurent Blanc, who handled the national team from 2010 to 2012, and Deschamps himself.
In his message to supporters, Zidane vowed to keep the team moving in a winning direction. “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.”
He also addressed the importance of identity and continuity in team culture, saying: “DD (Deschamps) is DD, Blanc was Blanc and Zizou is Zizou.”
“I will do things the way I know how to do them.”
FFF president Philippe Diallo explained how the process began, saying he first met Zidane in February 2025, shortly after Deschamps announced he would step down after the 2026 World Cup. Diallo said one particular comment stood out during conversations with Zidane.
“There was one thing that struck me, that perhaps ultimately made the difference,” Diallo said. “During the conversations we had, he said to me, ‘President, I know how to win.’”
He continued: “When he said that, I saw someone who had both the desire and the self-belief needed to lead France. That is what it takes for our national team to remain successful in the years ahead.”
Zidane’s first fixtures
- Zidane’s first match in charge will be an away game against Turkey in the UEFA Nations League on September 25.
- His first home appearance as France coach will come against Italy at the Stade de France on October 2.
France captain Kylian Mbappé—France’s all-time leading scorer—welcomed Zidane’s arrival, posting “Welcome home” on Instagram. Mbappé also marked the moment by noting his own recent achievement, becoming the first player to win the World Cup Golden Boot twice after scoring 10 goals at this summer’s tournament.
