Zinedine Zidane set to be unveiled as new France head coach next week

Zinedine Zidane is expected to be confirmed as France’s new head coach next week, ending a five-year absence from the dugout and closing the Didier Deschamps era that delivered the 2018 World Cup.

The French Football Federation (FFF) has announced a press conference for Tuesday, 28 July, when Deschamps’ successor will be formally presented in Paris.

All indications in France point to 52-year-old Zidane, a World Cup and European Championship winner as a player and a three-time Champions League-winning coach with Real Madrid, as the man chosen to lead Les Bleus into a new cycle.

Federation sets date for ‘new era’

In an official statement, the FFF said: “سيعقد رييس الاتحاد الفرنسي لكرة القدم، فيليب ديالو، موتمرا صحفيا يوم الثلاثاء 28 يوليو، عند الساعة 11:00 صباحا، لتقديم المدرب الجديد للمنتخب الفرنسي”.

The federation added: “عقب الاجتماع الاستثنايي للجنة التنفيذية، الذي سيعقد في صباح اليوم نفسه، سيقدم ديالو المدرب الجديد للمنتخب الفرنسي الى وسايل الاعلام”.

The extraordinary meeting of the FFF’s executive committee will take place on the same morning, after which president Philippe Diallo will present the new national coach to the media.

Zidane has been out of work since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, but has long been linked with the France job, which many in the country regard as his natural destination after his success in Spain.

Four-year deal expected – and a Nations League debut

According to local reports, Zidane is expected to sign a four-year contract, keeping him in charge at least until the 2030 World Cup.

His first match at the helm is set to be an away fixture against Turkey in late September, in the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League.

That debut will mark Zidane’s return to the technical area in international football after a glittering spell at Real Madrid, where he first coached the club’s Castilla side and served as an assistant before being promoted to the top job for two separate stints.

Deschamps bows out after historic spell

Deschamps oversaw his final match as France boss last Saturday, when his side lost to England in the third-place play-off at the World Cup.

The former midfielder took charge of the national team in 2012, succeeding Laurent Blanc, and went on to become one of the most successful international coaches of his generation.

He led France to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, then to World Cup glory in Russia in 2018, before reaching another final at Qatar 2022.

Midway through his 12-year reign, Deschamps also guided Les Bleus to the UEFA Nations League title in 2021, adding to a record that also included an appearance in the Euro 2016 final, where France were beaten by Portugal on home soil.

Zidane’s managerial legacy at Real Madrid

If confirmed, Zidane will arrive with one of the most formidable CVs in modern club football.

At Real Madrid, he amassed three Champions League titles, becoming the first coach to win the competition three times in a row in the modern era.

He also secured two La Liga crowns, two UEFA Super Cups, two FIFA Club World Cups and two Spanish Super Cups during his time at the Bernabeu.

His achievements were recognised internationally as he won the award for the world’s best coach twice.

Zidane, who captained France to Euro 2000 glory and inspired their 1998 World Cup triumph as a player, would now be tasked with translating his club dominance into sustained success on the international stage.

The FFF is expected to confirm his appointment and outline the objectives for the 2028 European Championship and the 2030 World Cup at Tuesday’s press conference.