Zinedine Zidane has been appointed as France‘s new coach, replacing Didier Deschamps.
Zidane, 54, is one in every of France’s best ever gamers, main his nation to victory on the 1998 World Cup, and gained three Champions Leagues as coach of Real Madrid.
French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo introduced Zidane’s appointment on the FFF headquarters in Paris on Tuesday, saying he has been given a four-year contract.
“This is an exceptional moment, exceptional because of the person sat next to me,” Diallo stated. “Zinedine is one of the legends of French soccer and for many years he said one of his dreams was to take charge of the France team.”
He has been out of labor since resigning as Madrid boss in May 2021, and has lengthy been seen as the pure successor to Deschamps.
“For me it’s a continuity, a dream,” Zidane stated. “I had some offers during the five years I was away to take charge of a club but I turned them all down for the France team. It was the only thing I wanted to do.”
Zidane referred to as it “an immense joy” to take cost of the group he starred for.
“I have so many emotions, I am ready for the challenge,” he stated. “That’s what motivates me.
“Today I’ve the chance to be in control of this group and I’ll give every little thing in order that this group can win. I’d additionally prefer to congratulate DD [Deschamps] for these outstanding years.”
Diallo said he met Zidane for talks in February, 2025 after Deschamps said he would stand down after the 2026 World Cup.
“What motivates me is the sport, I used to be a No. 10, I like targets,” Zidane said. “I used to be a frontrunner on the sector and now I need to be a frontrunner by expertise.”
Deschamps — a former teammate of Zidane — was in charge of France for 14 years, taking over in 2012 and departing after this summer’s World Cup.
Under his management, a gifted France generation won the 2018 World Cup and were losing finalists in the 2022 World Cup and the 2016 European Championship.
Zidane will now lead France in this autumn’s UEFA Nations League games, before they begin the qualifying campaign for Euro 2028 next year.
France are due to play Türkiye, Belgium and Italy in their Nations League group, beginning with Türkiye on Sept. 25.
In a glittering career as one of the most talented players in football history, Zidane won the Ballon d’Or and three FIFA World Player of the Year awards.
He scored twice as France won the 1998 World Cup final, beating Brazil in Paris, and then won Euro 2000.
In 2006, he was named Player of the Tournament as France returned to another World Cup final, where he was sent off for headbutting Italy’s Marco Materazzi.
Zidane retired as a player in 2006 and went on to become one of the game’s most successful coaches, winning three consecutive Champions Leagues with Real Madrid between 2016 and 2018, as well as two LaLiga titles.
He hadn’t returned to coaching since leaving Madrid five years ago, but had frequently been named as the obvious replacement for Deschamps.
France were among the favourites to win this summer’s World Cup, but were eliminated by Spain 2-0 within the semifinals, after which overwhelmed 6-4 by England within the third-place playoff.
Information from Associated Press was used on this report.
