By Stephen Simon
French football legend Zinedine Zidane has been appointed as the new head coach of the France national team, ending months of speculation over who would succeed Didier Deschamps following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The French Football Federation confirmed the appointment on Monday, handing the former Real Madrid manager a four-year contract.
Zidane, who guided Real Madrid to three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles during his first spell in charge, returns to frontline coaching for the first time in several years. His appointment is widely seen as one of the biggest managerial moves in international football this year.
The 54-year-old replaces Deschamps, who stepped down after more than a decade in charge of Les Bleus. During his tenure, Deschamps led France to the 2018 FIFA World Cup title, the 2022 World Cup final and several other major international tournaments, making him one of the country’s most successful coaches.
French Football Federation President Philippe Diallo described Zidane as the ideal choice to lead the next generation of French players, citing his outstanding achievements as both a player and coach. He expressed confidence that the former World Cup winner would continue France’s tradition of competing for major honours.
Zidane is expected to begin preparations immediately for France’s upcoming international fixtures, with attention already turning to qualification for UEFA Euro 2028. His first squad selection is expected to be closely watched by supporters and football analysts.
The appointment has been welcomed by many former players and fans, who believe Zidane’s experience, leadership and winning mentality will help France remain among the world’s elite football nations. Expectations are high that he can build on the strong foundation left by Deschamps while introducing a new era for the national team.
