Zinedine Zidane named France head coach
The French Football Federation has picked Zinedine Zidane as the new head coach of France, signing him to a four-year deal that will see him guide Les Bleus into the 2030 World Cup.
The legendary 1998 Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup hero steps in for Didier Deschamps, who ended his 14-year reign after the 2026 World Cup.
«I’ve often said that there’s nothing greater than the French national team. So it’s a joy and obviously a great source of pride to become the manager of this team,» Zidane has said.
Philippe Diallo, the president of the French Football Federation, described Zidane’s career as one built «on talent, hard work, humility, and excellence.»
Deschamps oversaw one of the most successful eras in French football, guiding Les Bleus to World Cup glory in 2018 and the 2021 UEFA Nations League title. Their 2026 campaign ended with a fourth-place finish after a 2-0 semi-final defeat by Spain and a 6-4 loss to England in the third-place play-off.
A triumphant homecoming
At 54, Zidane steps back into the managerial spotlight for the first time since his Real Madrid departure in May 2021, where he cemented his status as one of football’s most accomplished coaches.
He led Real Madrid to three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018, won two La Liga crowns, two UEFA Super Cups, two Spanish Super Cups and two FIFA Club World Cups.
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