Zinedine Zidane named France head coach on four-year contract after Deschamps exit

Zinedine Zidane has been appointed France head coach on a four-year deal running to the 2030 World Cup, returning to the national team as Didier Deschamps’ successor after years of anticipation.

The French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed the 54-year-old’s appointment on Tuesday, ending a long wait for Zidane, who had been widely regarded as the leading candidate to take over once Deschamps stepped aside.

Deschamps’ reign, which began in 2012, concluded earlier this month after France finished fourth at the World Cup. He leaves having led Les Bleus to the 2018 World Cup title and another final four years later.

Zidane’s contract will take him through to the 2030 tournament, which will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

‘Immense joy’ for Zidane

Speaking at FFF headquarters in Paris after his appointment was announced, Zidane described the moment as the culmination of a long-held ambition.

“For me, it’s an immense joy… being able to become the coach of this French team. I don’t have any other words,” he said.

“I’m holding myself back because I have so many emotions inside me. I’m ready for the challenge, that’s what drives me today.”

Zidane, who has not worked since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, made clear he had been effectively on standby for the France role, turning down all other approaches while waiting for an opening with the national side.

“The France job was the only one I wanted,” he said at his unveiling, having signed autographs and posed for photos with fans gathered outside the FFF headquarters.

“I’ve had offers over these four or five years to take charge of a club and I turned them all down for the French national team.”

From World Cup winner to national team boss

Zidane steps into the job as one of France’s greatest footballing figures, both for his achievements as a player and as a coach.

A former playmaker for Les Bleus, he scored twice in the 1998 World Cup final win over Brazil and went on to lift the European Championship in 2000. At club level, he made his name as a star at Real Madrid before later returning to the Spanish giants as head coach.

His only coaching spell so far has been at Real Madrid, where he produced an exceptional record in European competition. Zidane led Madrid to three successive Champions League titles in 2016, 2017 and 2018, an unprecedented feat in the modern era of the competition.

Despite that success, he acknowledged that managing a national team will represent a new challenge.

“I think it’s a completely different job, that’s for sure,” Zidane said. “I’ve experienced the club side of it. Now this is something new for me, but it doesn’t scare me.”

Zidane follows former international teammates Laurent Blanc, who coached France between 2010 and 2012, and Deschamps in moving from World Cup winner on the pitch to national team boss.

“I’m going to give everything so that this team keeps on winning,” he added. “That’s it, the only thing that drives me is being able to work for this France team and making sure they keep on winning.

“‘DD’ (Deschamps) is ‘DD’, Blanc was Blanc and ‘Zizou’ is Zizou.

“I will do things the way I know how to do them.”

Diallo: ‘He knows how to win’

FFF president Philippe Diallo revealed that formal talks with Zidane began in February 2025, shortly after Deschamps informed the federation of his intention to step down following the 2026 World Cup.

“There was one thing that struck me, that perhaps ultimately made the difference,” said Diallo. “During the conversations we had, he said to me, ‘President, I know how to win.’

“When he said that, I saw someone who had both the desire and the self-belief needed to lead France. That is what it takes for our national team to remain successful in the years ahead.”

First fixtures in charge

Zidane’s reign will begin away from home, with France travelling to face Turkey in the UEFA Nations League on 25 September.

His first match in front of home supporters will follow on 2 October, when France host Italy at the Stade de France.