Zinedine Zidane has been appointed head coach of the France national team, marking his return to management five years after leaving Real Madrid. The 54-year-old succeeds Didier Deschamps, who ended his 14-year spell in charge following France’s semi-final defeat to Spain at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Zidane, who helped France win the 1998 World […]
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Zinedine Zidane has been appointed head coach of the France national team, marking his return to management five years after leaving Real Madrid.
The 54-year-old succeeds Didier Deschamps, who ended his 14-year spell in charge following France’s semi-final defeat to Spain at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Zidane, who helped France win the 1998 World Cup as a player, has been without a managerial position since leaving Real Madrid for the second time in 2021.
His contract will see him lead Les Bleus through the qualification campaigns for Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup.
Reacting to his appointment, Zidane described managing France as a major honour and responsibility, saying there was nothing greater than representing the French national team.
He thanked French Football Federation President Philippe Diallo and the federation’s executive committee for placing their confidence in him. Zidane also paid tribute to Deschamps and his coaching staff for their 14 years of service.
The former Real Madrid coach said he has high ambitions for the national team as he begins a new chapter in his managerial career.
Diallo described Zidane as a legend of French football and one of the most decorated and respected coaches of his generation. He said the appointment brings together an iconic figure in the history of Les Bleus and a national team with significant potential.
Deschamps leaves the position after leading France to three major tournament finals during his tenure, including the 2018 World Cup triumph.
Zidane is expected to take charge of his first competitive match when France travel to face Turkey in the UEFA Nations League on September 25.
Zidane began his coaching career with Real Madrid Castilla in 2014 before becoming manager of Real Madrid’s senior team in January 2016.
He enjoyed remarkable success in Spain, leading Madrid to three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018. He also won La Liga during the 2016-17 season before stepping down in 2018.
Zidane returned to Real Madrid in March 2019 and guided the club to another La Liga title in the 2019-20 campaign. He eventually left after the 2020-21 season and has remained out of management since then.
His appointment as France coach had been anticipated for years, with the former midfielder repeatedly linked with the position.
As a player, Zidane enjoyed an illustrious career with Cannes, Bordeaux, Juventus and Real Madrid.
He joined Real Madrid from Juventus in 2001 for a then world-record transfer fee of £66 million and became one of the central figures of the club’s Galacticos era.
One of his defining club moments came in the 2002 Champions League final when he scored the winning goal as Real Madrid defeated Bayer Leverkusen 2-1.
His international career was equally distinguished. Zidane scored twice in France’s 3-0 victory over Brazil in the 1998 World Cup final, helping his country lift the trophy for the first time. He later won the Ballon d’Or that year and was part of the French team that won Euro 2000.
He initially retired from international football in 2004 before returning to help France qualify for the 2006 World Cup.
Zidane played a major role in France reaching the final of that tournament against Italy, which became the final match of his professional career. France eventually lost the final on penalties.
Twenty years after his final appearance for Les Bleus as a player, Zidane now begins another chapter with the national team, this time from the touchline.
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