France turn to ‘legend’ Zinedine Zidane as head coach in long-awaited homecoming
Zinedine Zidane has been appointed as France's new head coach, taking over from Didier Deschamps and returning to the national team he captained to World Cup glory as a player. The French Football Federation (FFF) president, Philippe Diallo, confirmed the four-year appointment at a press conference in Paris, calling Zidane one of the "legends" of French football and noting he had long harboured an ambition to lead Les Bleus.
Zidane, 54, has not coached since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, and said he turned down club offers during that period because taking charge of France was "the only thing I wanted to do". Diallo revealed talks had begun as early as February 2025, after Deschamps announced he would step down following the 2026 World Cup, where France were eliminated by Spain in the semi-finals. Deschamps, who won the 2018 World Cup with France, was praised by Zidane for his "remarkable years" in charge.
- Zinedine Zidane appointed France head coach on a four-year contract
- Replaces Didier Deschamps, who stepped down after the 2026 World Cup
- Zidane hadn't coached since leaving Real Madrid in 2021
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Zinedine Zidane is one of France's greatest footballers, having captained the national team to World Cup victory as a player. He later became a successful manager at top European clubs, most notably Real Madrid, where he won numerous major trophies before stepping away from coaching five years ago.
France is one of the world's leading football nations, and its national team manager is one of the highest-profile roles in international sport. The position was held by Didier Deschamps, who took charge over a decade ago and led France to World Cup victory in 2018.
Deschamps stepped down following the recent World Cup tournament, having announced his intention to leave before that competition began. The decision of who leads the national team attracts significant public attention because of France's status as one of world football's most successful nations.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Zidane's appointment represents a natural evolution for a nation seeking to recapture elite status. His record of three Champions League titles with Real Madrid demonstrates tactical sophistication and proven ability to manage world-class talent under intense pressure. His five-year sabbatical shows he was deliberately selective rather than commercially motivated, accepting the France role above lucrative club offers—a genuine signal of commitment to the national team. His legendary status within French football carries real intangible value in inspiring players and uniting the nation.
The case against
Appointing a manager with no recent coaching experience represents a significant gamble for a team already competitive at the highest level. Zidane has been absent from the touchline for five years during which football has evolved tactically, raising questions about whether his methods remain current. Whilst his playing credentials are undisputed, managerial success at club level does not automatically translate to international football, for which he has zero experience. France reached the World Cup semi-final under Deschamps and did not clearly require wholesale change; continuity with an experienced international coach might have been the more prudent choice.