Zinedine Zidane was confirmed as the head coach of the France men’s national team by the France Football Federation (FFF) on Tuesday, taking over from the departing Didier Deschamps.

The midfielder, who was part of the France squad in the victorious 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 campaign, was announced by the federation in a press conference in Paris and will sign a four-year contract.

Zidane has not managed a team since leaving Real Madrid in 2021. Across his two spells as head coach there, after spending time as the manager of the junior side Real Madrid Castilla, the France legend led the side to three UEFA Champions League and two La Liga titles.

The 1998 Ballon d’Or winner has long been earmarked as the successor to his former international captain Deschamps, who leaves Les Blues after 14 years in charge.

Deschamps became one of just three men ever to win a FIFA World Cup as player and manager after guiding the team to success in 2018 in Russia.

He leaves the role after guiding France to a fourth-placed finish at FIFA World Cup 2026.

Published on Jul 28, 2026