Zinedine Zidane has finally taken charge of the France national team, completing a long-awaited homecoming that reunites one of the country’s greatest football icons with the side he helped lead to World Cup glory as a player.
The French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed Zidane’s appointment as head coach on Tuesday, handing him a four-year contract as successor to Didier Deschamps, who ended a remarkable 14-year tenure after the 2026 World Cup.
For years, Zidane had been regarded as the natural candidate to lead Les Bleus. Since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, the former midfielder repeatedly resisted offers from clubs while waiting for the opportunity to manage his country. That ambition has now been fulfilled as he begins a new chapter in a career already defined by historic achievements.
Zidane returns to the national team fold as France’s football icon takes on the challenge of leading a new generation.
“The France job was the only one I wanted,” Zidane said after his unveiling, highlighting his long-standing desire to take charge of the national side.
The appointment carries enormous emotional significance. Zidane is not only one of France’s most celebrated footballers but also a symbol of the nation’s greatest sporting moments. He was the inspirational figure in France’s 1998 World Cup triumph, scoring twice in the final against Brazil to deliver the country’s first global title.
He also won the European Championship with France in 2000 and earned the Ballon d’Or in 1998, cementing his status as one of the finest players of his generation.
Now, more than two decades after his playing career with Les Bleus, Zidane returns in a leadership role, tasked with maintaining France’s position among world football’s elite.
He replaces Deschamps, another member of France’s 1998 World Cup-winning team, who transformed the national side into a consistent force during his long spell in charge. Deschamps guided France to the 2018 World Cup title, reached the 2022 World Cup final and built a reputation for tournament success and defensive organisation.
The challenge for Zidane will be to create his own identity while managing expectations from a nation accustomed to competing for major honours.
Despite his limited coaching experience at club level, Zidane arrives with an impressive managerial record. During two spells at Real Madrid, he won three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018, along with domestic honours, establishing himself as one of the most successful coaches in modern European football.
His ability to manage star players, maintain dressing-room harmony and deliver results on the biggest stage will be among his biggest strengths as he takes control of a talented French squad.
Zidane inherits a team filled with world-class talent, including captain Kylian Mbappé and a new generation of players eager to establish themselves internationally. His task will be to blend experienced figures with emerging stars as France begins preparations for future tournaments.
The incoming coach is also expected to bring elements of the structure that served him successfully at Real Madrid, including a focus on player relationships, tactical flexibility and calm leadership during high-pressure moments.
French supporters have welcomed the appointment with excitement, viewing Zidane’s arrival as the start of a new era. His connection with the national team, combined with his achievements as both player and coach, has created huge anticipation around his first matches in charge.
However, the pressure will be immediate. France’s squad is considered among the strongest in international football, and expectations will be high for Zidane to challenge for major trophies, including the 2028 European Championship and the 2030 World Cup.
The former Real Madrid coach has spent years preparing for this opportunity, and his return represents more than a coaching appointment. It is the reunion of a national legend with the team that defined much of his footballing legacy.
From lifting the World Cup trophy as a player in 1998 to now guiding the next generation of French stars, Zidane’s journey with Les Bleus has entered a new and historic phase.
The question now is whether “Zizou” can recreate his magic from the touchline and lead France into another golden era.
