Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has been appointed head coach of the France national team, succeeding Didier Deschamps.
Zidane takes over after Deschamps ended his 14-year reign following France’s semi-final exit to Spain at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 54-year-old has been out of management since leaving Real Madrid in 2021 and has signed a contract that will see him lead France through the 2030 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
The 1998 FIFA World Cup winner described his appointment as a great honour and said he was determined to build on the team’s ambitions. French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo hailed Zidane as one of the country’s greatest football figures and expressed confidence in his ability to guide Les Bleus.
Zidane’s first competitive match in charge will be a UEFA Nations League away fixture against Turkey on September 25.
By Canaan Siame
