A long-awaited appointment

Zinedine Zidane was officially presented as the new head coach of the French national team on Tuesday at the French Football Federation headquarters in Paris, where over a hundred fans had gathered. The 54-year-old, who had been without a coaching role since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, signed a contract that runs until the 2030 World Cup. FFF president Philippe Diallo confirmed that he first approached Zidane in February 2025, shortly after Didier Deschamps announced in January 2025 that he would step down following the 2026 World Cup.

“After coaching Real Madrid, this was the only thing I wanted to do, to coach the national team.”

Zidane, visibly emotional, described the day as the happiest of his professional life. He revealed that over the past four to five years he had turned down offers from several clubs, including persistent interest from Manchester United, to wait for the France job. "I could have taken on a three-year project because Deschamps was in the job. Once I knew he was leaving, I knew I wanted to be the next one," he said.

Deschamps' legacy

Zidane replaces his former international teammate Didier Deschamps, who led France for 14 years. Under Deschamps, Les Bleus won the 2018 World Cup, reached the 2022 final (losing to Argentina on penalties), and finished fourth at the 2026 tournament. They also won the 2021 Nations League and were runners-up at Euro 2016. Zidane paid tribute to Deschamps, with whom he won the 1998 World Cup as a player. Diallo noted that Zidane's candidacy "imposed itself" as the natural successor.

Zidane's vision and first challenges

The new coach said his team would adopt an attacking style similar to the one he used at Real Madrid, where he won three consecutive Champions League titles (2016, 2017, 2018). He will be joined by most of the same backroom staff from his Madrid days, ensuring continuity. Zidane inherits a squad packed with talent, including captain Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise, but one that has recently been eliminated by Spain at both Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup.

“President, I know how to win.”

His first match in charge will be against Turkey after the summer break, in the Nations League. Zidane acknowledged that Spain would be a tough rival but stressed that his immediate focus is on the opening fixture. "This stage is not just about facing Spain, who are a tough team. My priority is the first match, which is against Turkey," he said.

The road ahead

Zidane, born in Marseille to Algerian parents, was a symbol of France's 1998 "black-blanc-beur" generation. He earned 108 caps and won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 as a player. Now he returns to French football for the first time since leaving Bordeaux in 1996, tasked with restoring an identity to a team that has struggled to match its earlier success. The contract runs through the 2030 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Spain, among others.

“I have watched many matches, many more than when I was Real Madrid coach. And above all I have watched the French national team as a whole, and I can tell you there is great potential.”

Zidane also used his first press conference to pay tribute to firefighters and agricultural workers battling severe wildfires in France, particularly in the Gironde department. "It is an immense joy, I am very happy," he said of his appointment.