Zinedine Zidane Named New France Head Coach After Deschamps

The 54-year-old steps into the role after years of speculation linking him with the national team. Zidane revealed that coaching France had always been his ultimate ambition, despite receiving several offers from club sides since leaving Real Madrid in 2021.

“The France job was the only one I wanted,” Zidane said during his official unveiling in Paris. “I had opportunities to manage clubs over the past four or five years, but I turned them all

down because my goal was to coach the French national team.”

Zidane replaces Deschamps, whose remarkable 14-year reign came to an end after France finished fourth at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. During his tenure, Deschamps guided Les Bleus to the 2018 FIFA World Cup title and another World Cup final in 2022, cementing his place among the nation’s most successful coaches.

The appointment marks Zidane’s return to the French setup, this time from the touchline rather than the pitch. As a player, he inspired France to its first FIFA World Cup triumph in 1998 before helping the country lift the UEFA European Championship in 2000. He was also a teammate of Deschamps during France’s historic World Cup victory on home soil.

France have entrusted the national team to one of football’s most decorated managers. Across two spells with Real Madrid between 2016 and 2018, and again from 2019 to 2021, Zidane collected 11 major trophies, making him the second-most successful coach in the club’s history behind Miguel Muñoz.

His achievements include an unprecedented three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018, alongside two La Liga championships, two UEFA Super Cups, two FIFA Club World Cups, and two Spanish Super Cups.

Renowned for his calm leadership and ability to deliver in high-pressure moments, Zidane also boasts a perfect record in major finals, winning all nine cup finals contested during his time in charge of Real Madrid. His appointment signals the beginning of a new chapter for France as they look to build on years of international success under one of the game’s greatest icons.