Zidane Returns to Lead France
Zinedine Zidane was announced as the new coach of the France national football team on Tuesday, a moment he described as the fulfillment of a lifelong dream and an emotional connection to the side he once lifted to World Cup glory as a player.
The French Football Federation confirmed that Zidane has signed a four‑year contract, securing his tenure through the next cycle of major tournaments and underscoring the federation’s confidence in his vision.
In his first public remarks, Zidane praised his predecessor Didier Deschamps, who guided France to the 2018 World Cup title, while outlining a playing philosophy that emphasizes fluid attacking movement and a return to the creative freedom he enjoyed as a player.
His inaugural matches will be against Turkey and Belgium, with a much‑anticipated home fixture against Italy scheduled for October 2, a game that fans hope will showcase the team’s renewed identity.
Zidane, who previously coached Real Madrid until 2021, revealed that he rejected several club offers to stay with the national side, insisting that the France job was his sole ambition after leaving the Spanish capital.
Beyond his coaching role, Zidane’s legendary status remains rooted in his playing career: he scored two headers in the 1998 World Cup final, helped France lift the trophy, won the Ballon d’Or that same year, and enjoyed a storied club career with Juventus and Real Madrid.
The appointment also brings together a network of familiar faces, including former teammates and colleagues such as Philippe Diallo, Marco Materazzi and Christophe Dugarry, who are expected to support the transition.