The former superstar replaced Didier Deschamps as France coach after the national team’s bitter semi-final defeat in the United States.
Published July 28, 2026
France great Zinedine Zidane’s long-held ambition to coach the national team became a reality on Tuesday when the French Football Federation appointed former captain and World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane as Didier Deschamps’ successor on a four-year contract.
Former Real Madrid manager Zidane’s appointment comes two weeks after Deschamps’ tenure ended after France finished fourth at the World Cup. His last game in charge was a 6-4 loss to England.
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“All I wanted to do was the French team,” Zidane told reporters.
“I have always seen this team through the eyes of a future manager. That’s not why I took the club job. All I wanted to do after Madrid was to become the manager of the French national team.”
“Because of Deschamps, I was able to take on the role for three years. He made that decision in January 2025 and the next day I said I wanted to be the next manager. We met with the president and the deal was signed,” he said.
Zidane, 54, is expected to begin his reign in the UEFA Nations League away to Torquier before hosting France and Italy at the Stade de France on October 2.
Deschamps, who stepped down after 14 years in charge, oversaw 120 wins in 185 games and led France to the 2018 World Cup title, the 2020-21 Nations League trophy, Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup final.
The two have known each other for a long time and were teammates on the 1998 World Cup winning team in France.
Zidane played a pivotal role in that victory and was awarded the Ballon d’Or that year.
