Zinedine Zidane was appointed head coach of the French national team on Tuesday, the French Football Federation confirmed, ending a five-year wait for the only coaching job the legendary midfielder ever wanted.
Zidane, 54, replaces Didier Deschamps, who stepped down after France finished fourth at the 2026 World Cup. He has signed a four-year contract running through the 2030 World Cup, co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
What We Know So Far
French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo announced the appointment at the federation’s headquarters in Paris on Tuesday.
“This is an exceptional moment, exceptional because of the person sat next to me,” Diallo said. “Zidane is one of the legends of French soccer.”
Zidane has not coached since leaving Real Madrid in 2021. During his five years away from football, he turned down multiple club offers while waiting for the France job.
“I had some offers during the five years I was away to take charge of a club,” Zidane said. “I turned them all down for the France team. It was the only thing I wanted to do.”
He was visibly emotional at the announcement.
“I’m excited,” Zidane said, clenching his fists. “The France team makes you dream. We have extraordinary players, an extraordinary team.”
“I’ve waited five years for this chance, so that’s why I’m a bit emotional,” he added. “It’s the happiest day of my career as coach.”
Diallo said he first met with Zidane for talks in February 2025, shortly after Deschamps announced he would stand down after the World Cup.
Zidane’s first game in charge will be away to Turkey in the UEFA Nations League on September 25, followed by a match in Belgium three days later. His first home game will be against Italy at the Stade de France on October 2.
What Zidane Is Saying
Zidane spoke at length about what the role means to him and what he intends to bring to it.
“For me, it’s an immense joy about being able to become the coach of this French team,” he said. “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.”
He said France would play differently under him than under Deschamps.
“What motivates me is the game. I was a No. 10, I like goals,” he said. “I was a leader on the field and now I want to be a leader by experience.”
He addressed the Italy match specifically, noting its significance given his infamous exit from the 2006 World Cup final.
“Italy is special, because I played there, because I know people, because I speak Italian,” he said. “All of those things.”
After the news conference, Zidane went outside to greet a large crowd of supporters gathered near the federation headquarters. They cheered loudly when he appeared.
Why This Matters
Zidane’s appointment closes a chapter that began the moment he left Real Madrid in 2021 and made clear he was holding out for one specific job.
As a player, Zidane was the defining figure of the most successful era in French football history. He scored twice in the 1998 World Cup final against Brazil at the Stade de France. He starred as France won the 2000 European Championship. He came out of international retirement to carry France to the 2006 World Cup final, scoring a Panenka penalty before his career ended in infamy when he headbutted Italian defender Marco Materazzi in the chest and was sent off in extra time.
As a coach, his record at Real Madrid was singular. He led the Spanish club to three consecutive Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018, an achievement without precedent in the competition’s modern format. No manager before or since has done it.
He now inherits a France squad of considerable depth and talent but one that finished fourth at the 2026 World Cup after losing the semifinals to Spain. Deschamps described an “unbreathable atmosphere” at the end of his tenure, suggesting internal tensions that Zidane will need to manage alongside his tactical preparations.
The 2030 World Cup, held partly on Iberian and North African soil where France have strong emotional and cultural connections, represents the natural target of a four-year cycle that begins this autumn.
Deschamps won the 2018 World Cup and reached the 2022 final. Some critics, including former France teammate Christophe Dugarry, argued he should have won more with the players available to him. Zidane will be measured against that standard.
What Happens Next
Zidane’s immediate schedule includes four Nations League matches in the autumn window. Turkey away on September 25, Belgium away on September 28, Italy at home on October 2, and a fourth fixture to follow.
He said he had noted all four matches in his mind already.
“They’re in my head,” he said, tapping his forehead.
The 2030 World Cup provides the four-year horizon against which his contract and his ambitions will ultimately be measured. Zidane made clear what the goal is.
“I’m going to give everything so that this team keeps on winning,” he said. “That’s the only thing that drives me.”
Sources: AP; France24; Flashscoreusa
