Zinedine Zidane has been appointed as the new coach of the French national football team on a four‑year contract, succeeding Didier Deschamps, who stepped down after a 14‑year tenure.
The former Real Madrid manager, who lifted the World Cup in 1998 as a player and later guided the club to three consecutive Champions League titles, said the opportunity had been his sole ambition since leaving the Bernabéu.
Zidane will open his reign with an away Nations League fixture against Turkey, followed by a home clash with Italy at the Stade de France on October 2, marking the first competitive matches under his leadership.
Deschamps departs after overseeing 185 matches, 120 victories and a 2018 World Cup crown, having steered France through multiple tournaments and established a stable, pragmatic identity.
The new coach shares a unique bond with his predecessor, having been teammates in the 1998 championship‑winning side, and he joins Laurent Blanc as the third member of that squad to transition into the national team dugout.
Zidane’s Vision for Les Bleus
Central to Zidane’s philosophy is the preservation of the squad’s cohesion while injecting fresh tactical nuances. He intends to retain core players who have already proven their mettle on the international stage, yet remain open to integrating younger talent capable of adapting to his dynamic system.
The French Football Federation’s technical director praised the appointment, highlighting Zidane’s deep‑rooted connection to the country’s footballing heritage and his proven ability to manage high‑profile squads.
Looking Ahead to 2030
If the early results align with his expectations, Zidane believes the team can build on recent successes and contend for the next World Cup, a prospect that excites both fans and stakeholders across the nation.