Zidane appointed France manager on four-year deal following World Cup exit

The French Football Federation (FFF) has officially appointed Zinedine Zidane as the new head coach of the national team, ending months of speculation regarding the successor to Didier Deschamps. The announcement was confirmed on Tuesday by FFF president Philippe Diallo, who had hinted at the selection in March by stating the new manager required a strong connection with France.

Zidane, 54, has signed a four-year contract that runs until the 2030 World Cup. The appointment follows France’s fourth-place finish at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the team was defeated 6-4 by England in the third-place playoff in Miami. This match marked the end of Deschamps’ tenure, which included a record 168 games in charge.

The former Real Madrid manager expressed his ambition to lead the national side as early as 2022. Zidane, who played 108 times for France and scored 31 goals, described the role as a dream and a way to "come full circle" with the team he captained to victory in the 1998 World Cup. He previously achieved significant success as a coach, winning three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid between 2016 and 2018.

Zidane inherits a squad featuring key players such as Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Aurélien Tchouaméni. Reports suggest he is expected to overhaul the coaching staff, with World Cup champion Fabien Barthez potentially appointed as the new goalkeeping coach. The transition comes as the federation seeks to build on the talent left by Deschamps, despite the semi-final exit to Spain earlier in the tournament.

Zidane’s first match in charge is scheduled for 2 October against Italy. The fixture carries historical significance, occurring 20 years after Zidane was sent off during the 2006 World Cup final against the same opponents. The appointment marks a significant shift in leadership for Les Bleus as they prepare for the next cycle of international competition.