The French Football Federation (FFF) announced the appointment of Zinedine Zidane as head coach of the national team, succeeding Didier Deschamps, who stepped down after leading France to the recently concluded World Cup 2026 semifinals.
The federation said Zidane signed a four-year contract to manage the national team through the end of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The 54-year-old previously managed Real Madrid in two spells, first from 2016 to 2018 and again from 2019 to 2021. During his tenure, he led the Spanish club to three UEFA Champions League titles and two La Liga championships.
As a player, Zidane won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000 with France. He also won the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid in 2002.
Speaking at a Press conference following his appointment, Zidane said he would continue working to help the French national team achieve further success.
He said he was eager to begin working on the training ground and intended to give his all in the role. Zidane also said he had received numerous offers over the past several years to coach clubs and national teams but had turned them down because he wanted to become head coach of the French national team.
Deschamps had served as France’s head coach for 14 years, leading the team to victory at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, finishing as runner-up in 2022, and guiding France to fourth place at this year’s World Cup.
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