Zinedine Zidane, the man who won three Champions Leagues as Real Madrid manager, has been confirmed as the new head coach of the France national team. He succeeds Didier Deschamps, who ended his 14-year reign after Les Bleus exited the 2026 World Cup at the semi-final stage, losing to Spain.
Zidane, a World Cup winner with France in 1998 and widely considered the nation’s greatest player, has been out of management since leaving Real Madrid for a second time in 2021. The 54-year-old will sign a contract to lead France through the 2030 World Cup qualifiers.
“Zinedine Zidane has been confirmed as France head coach, succeeding Didier Deschamps after the 2026 World Cup.”
“It’s a great source of pride to become the manager of this French national team,” Zidane said. “Nothing is greater than the French national team. It’s also a responsibility.” He thanked French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo and acknowledged Deschamps’ 14 years of service.
Diallo described Zidane as a “legend” of French football. “The appointment marks the meeting of a legend in the history of Les Bleus, who has become one of the most decorated and respected coaches of his generation, and a team with rare potential,” Diallo said.
Zidane’s first competitive fixture will be a Nations League trip to Turkey on 25 September. He takes over a side that finished fourth at the World Cup, hoping to restore the glory he achieved as a player and a club manager.