Zinedine Zidane Takes the Helm as France's National Football Coach
Zidane's Dream Role Realized
Zinedine Zidane, the legendary French footballer, has finally achieved his long-time goal of coaching the national team. On Tuesday, the French Football Federation announced his appointment as the successor to Didier Deschamps, signing him to a four-year contract. This decision comes shortly after Deschamps concluded his tenure, which ended with a fourth-place finish at the World Cup, following a 6-4 loss to England in his last match.
Zidane expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "Coaching the French team was my only aspiration. I have always envisioned myself in this role. I refrained from taking a club position because my focus was solely on managing the national team. After Madrid, this was my only goal. I knew I wanted to take over the moment Deschamps announced his decision in January 2025, and the agreement was finalized quickly with the president."
Upcoming Matches and Expectations
The 54-year-old Zidane is set to kick off his coaching journey with an away Nations League match against Turkey, followed by a home game against Italy at the Stade de France on October 2.
Deschamps, who led the team for 14 years, managed 185 matches, securing 120 victories. Under his leadership, France clinched the 2018 World Cup, the 2020-21 Nations League, and reached the finals of Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup.
A Legacy of Greatness
Zidane and Deschamps share a rich history, having played together in France's victorious 1998 World Cup team. Zidane was instrumental in that win and earned the Ballon d'Or the same year. He has represented the national team 108 times, scoring 31 goals and providing 29 assists. "You will soon see my coaching style," Zidane remarked. "My passion for the game drives me. I was a playmaker, and my focus is on scoring goals. My time in Spain shaped my leadership on the field, and now I aim to lead through my experiences. Winning in '98 was the pinnacle of my career, and I have waited years for this opportunity. I am thrilled and emotional about this new chapter."
From Player to Coach
Zidane's club career includes 212 appearances for Juventus before he joined Real Madrid in 2001, where he played 227 matches, netting 49 goals and assisting 67 times, winning the Champions League in his debut season.
After retiring, he returned to Real Madrid as an assistant coach in 2013 and became head coach in 2016. Zidane achieved remarkable success, leading the team to three consecutive Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018, a record that still stands.
He returned for a second term in 2019, adding another La Liga title before stepping down in 2021. Zidane now joins Laurent Blanc and Deschamps as the third member of the 1998 World Cup-winning squad to coach the national team, with the goal of guiding Les Bleus to the 2030 World Cup. "The previous campaign was exceptional, and the football was beautiful. The fans were satisfied, and we will approach things differently. Each coach has their own style, and I will ensure continuity for the French team to keep winning," Zidane concluded.