Zidane Takes Helm as New France Coach, Vows to Bring Success

The French Football Federation has announced the appointment of Zinedine Zidane as the new coach of the French national team, following the departure of Didier Deschamps. This move comes as no surprise, given that Zidane had been widely tipped to take over the reins. At 54, Zidane has a wealth of experience, having played for France and coached Real Madrid to numerous victories, including three consecutive Champions League titles. In his first statement as coach, Zidane expressed his joy and eagerness to take on the challenge, stating, '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 also revealed that the France job was the only one he wanted, turning down numerous club offers in the past four years to wait for this opportunity. Zidane’s tenure will begin with a four-year deal that runs until the 2030 World Cup, co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. As he prepares to lead France, Zidane acknowledged that coaching a national team is a different job from coaching a club, but he is undaunted by the challenge. 'I think it’s a completely different job, that’s for sure,' he said. 'I’ve experienced the club side of it. Now this is something new for me, but it doesn’t scare me.' Zidane will follow in the footsteps of his former teammates, Laurent Blanc and Didier Deschamps, who have both coached the national team in the past. French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo first met with Zidane in February 2025, after Deschamps announced his plans to step down. According to Diallo, Zidane’s confidence and self-belief were key factors in his appointment. '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.' Zidane’s first match as coach will be away to Turkey in the UEFA Nations League on September 25, followed by a home match against Italy at the Stade de France on October 2.