French football legend Zinedine Zidane has officially taken charge of the France national team after the French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed his appointment as successor to Didier Deschamps.
The 54-year-old had long been considered the leading candidate for the role and had patiently waited for the opportunity to manage Les Bleus after turning down several offers over recent years.
Zidane replaces Deschamps, whose remarkable 12-year reign ended after France finished fourth at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Deschamps guided France to World Cup glory in 2018 and reached the final again four years later.
Speaking after his unveiling at the FFF headquarters in Paris, Zidane expressed his excitement at taking charge of his country.
“For me, it’s an immense joy to become the coach of this French team. I don’t have any other words. I’m holding myself back because I have so many emotions inside me. I’m ready for the challenge.”
The former France captain revealed that coaching the national team had always been his ultimate ambition after leaving Real Madrid in 2021.
“Today represents continuity — a dream come true. I received offers over the past four or five years but turned them all down in order to take charge of the national team. After my time with Real, it was the only thing I wanted to do.”
Zidane, who was part of France’s 1998 World Cup-winning squad alongside Deschamps, added that representing the national team has always been a major part of his football journey.
“I’ve been part of the setup since I was a kid, working my way up through every stage to reach the pinnacle: the senior national team.”
The former playmaker arrives with an impressive coaching record despite managing only one club in his career. During his two spells at Real Madrid CF, Zidane won three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018, becoming the first coach in the modern era to achieve the feat.
Although his experience has mainly come at club level, Zidane insists the national team challenge excites rather than concerns him.
“I think it’s a completely different job. I’ve experienced the club side of it. Now this is something new for me, but it doesn’t scare me.”
As a player, Zidane enjoyed one of the greatest careers in French football history, scoring twice in the 1998 World Cup final victory over Brazil and winning Euro 2000 with France.
His appointment continues the tradition of former France greats managing the national team, following the paths of Laurent Blanc and Deschamps.
Zidane has signed a four-year contract that will run until the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
His first match as France coach will come on September 25 against Turkey in the UEFA Nations League, before his home debut against Italy at the Stade de France on October 2.
The Zidane era has officially begun, with French supporters hoping the national icon can bring more success to Les Bleus from the touchline.
