Zinedine Zidane has been appointed as France‘s new coach, replacing Didier Deschamps.
Zidane, 54, is one of France’s greatest ever players, leading his country to victory at the 1998 World Cup, and won three Champions Leagues as coach of Real Madrid.
French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo announced Zidane’s appointment at the FFF headquarters in Paris on Tuesday, saying he has been given a four-year contract.
“This is an exceptional moment, exceptional because of the person sat next to me,” Diallo said. “Zinedine is one of the legends of French soccer and for many years he said one of his dreams was to take charge of the France team.”
He has been out of work since resigning as Madrid boss in May 2021, and has long been viewed as the natural successor to Deschamps.
“For me it’s a continuity, a dream,” Zidane said. “I had some offers during the five years I was away to take charge of a club but I turned them all down for the France team. It was the only thing I wanted to do.”
Zidane called it “an immense joy” to take charge of the team he starred for.
“I have so many emotions, I am ready for the challenge,” he said. “That’s what motivates me.
“Today I have the opportunity to be in charge of this team and I will give everything so that this team can win. I would also like to congratulate DD [Deschamps] for these remarkable years.”
Read more:France’s Deschamps predicts ‘spectacular’ semifinal vs. Spain
Diallo said he met Zidane for talks in February, 2025 after Deschamps said he would stand down after the 2026 World Cup.
“What motivates me is the game, I was a No. 10, I like goals,” Zidane said. “I was a leader on the field and now I want to be a leader by experience.”
Deschamps — a former teammate of Zidane — was in charge of France for 14 years, taking over in 2012 and departing after this summer’s World Cup.
Under his management, a gifted France generation won the 2018 World Cup and were losing finalists in the 2022 World Cup and the 2016 European Championship.
Zidane will now lead France in this autumn’s UEFA Nations League games, before they begin the qualifying campaign for Euro 2028 next year.
France are due to play Türkiye, Belgium and Italy in their Nations League group, beginning with Türkiye on Sept. 25.
In a glittering career as one of the most talented players in football history, Zidane won the Ballon d’Or and three FIFA World Player of the Year awards.
He scored twice as France won the 1998 World Cup final, beating Brazil in Paris, and then won Euro 2000.
In 2006, he was named Player of the Tournament as France returned to another World Cup final, where he was sent off for headbutting Italy’s Marco Materazzi.
Zidane retired as a player in 2006 and went on to become one of the game’s most successful coaches, winning three consecutive Champions Leagues with Real Madrid between 2016 and 2018, as well as two LaLiga titles.
He hadn’t returned to coaching since leaving Madrid five years ago, but had frequently been named as the obvious replacement for Deschamps.
France were among the favourites to win this summer’s World Cup, but were eliminated by Spain 2-0 in the semifinals, and then beaten 6-4 by England in the third-place playoff.
Information from Associated Press was used in this report.
