Zidane waited for France – now can he harness their star power?
Zinedine Zidane has been confirmed as the new head coach of the French national football team, ending months of speculation and taking over from Didier Deschamps after 14 years of the latter's stewardship. The appointment, unveiled at a news conference in Paris, matters because it brings one of the game's most decorated figures back into management after a five-year absence, tasked with harnessing a talented French squad and building on the foundations laid by his predecessor.
Talks between Zidane and the French football authorities began as early as February 2025, shortly after Deschamps announced he would step down following the 2026 World Cup. At his unveiling, an emotional Zidane revealed he had turned down several other offers in recent years while waiting specifically for this role, though he gave few details on tactics, style of play or Kylian Mbappe's captaincy, saying such matters would be addressed in September. He hinted at continuity with Deschamps' attacking approach, having scored 20 goals during a recent tour of North America, while acknowledging that leading a national side for the first time represents new territory after his only prior senior managerial role was at Real Madrid, where he won the Champions League three times.
- Zinedine Zidane named new France head coach, succeeding Didier Deschamps
- Talks began February 2025; Zidane turned down other offers to wait
- Starts in September; tactical details and Mbappe's captaincy still undecided
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Zinedine Zidane is one of football's most celebrated figures, having previously won three Champions League titles as manager of Real Madrid before stepping away from the sport five years ago. He has now been appointed head coach of France's national team, succeeding Didier Deschamps, who led the country for 14 years.
This appointment matters because it brings a decorated manager back to the game at the highest level, though it marks his first experience leading a national team rather than a club. Zidane has revealed that he turned down other managerial offers in recent years in order to wait specifically for this opportunity to coach France.
The French national team is home to some of the world's most talented players, including star forward Kylian Mbappe. Managing such talented individuals in the context of a national team, where coaches have limited time between international matches to work with players, presents a different challenge from Zidane's previous club experience.