Zidane Takes Over France After Deschamps Era

Zinedine Zidane has been appointed France coach, taking over the national team after Didier Deschamps’ long run in charge came to an end. The move hands one of the most famous figures in French football the job many had linked him to for years, and it puts him in place to guide France through the 2030 World Cup qualifiers.

Deschamps’ reign lasted 14 years and ended after France exited the 2026 World Cup in the semi-finals against Spain. His tenure made him the country’s longest-serving manager and brought major success, including France’s second World Cup title in 2018. Zidane, who won the World Cup with France in 1998, has not worked in management since leaving Real Madrid for a second time in 2021.

In comments after his appointment, Zidane called the role a major honor and said leading the French national team was something greater than anything else in football. He thanked French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo, the federation’s executive committee, and Deschamps and his staff for their years of service. He also said he had high ambitions for the team. Diallo responded by describing Zidane as a legend of French football and said the appointment was a source of great pride for the federation.

The Zidane France coach decision also brings back a figure who has long sat at the center of French football discussion. He was first linked with the national job after France’s group-stage exit at the 2010 World Cup, and the talk only grew as his coaching record at Real Madrid expanded. Zidane did not move into management until 2014, when he took charge of Real Madrid Castilla, before being promoted to the first team in January 2016.