France Appoint Zinedine Zidane as Head Coach After Deschamps’ Exit

By Adedapo Adesanya

Mr Zinedine Zidane has been appointed as France’s new head coach, replacing Mr Didier Deschamps, who resigned after the just-concluded 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted by the trio of the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The French Football Federation (FFF) president, Mr Philippe Diallo, announced Mr Zidane’s appointment at the organisation’s headquarters in Paris on Tuesday, saying he has been given a four-year contract.

“This is an exceptional moment, exceptional because of the person sat next to me,” Mr Diallo said. “Zinedine is one of the legends of French soccer, and for many years he said one of his dreams was to take charge of the France team.”

The 54-year-old Zidane has not coached since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, where he won the Spanish league title twice as well as the UEFA Champions League thrice in a row from 2016 to 2018.

“For me it’s a continuity, a dream,” he said. “I had some offers during the five years I was away to take charge of a club, but I turned them all down for the France team. It was the only thing I wanted to do.”

Mr Zidane, who had a stellar career as a French player, called it “an immense joy” to take charge of the team he starred for from 1994 to 2006. “I have so many emotions, I am ready for the challenge,” he said. “That’s what motivates me.”

Mr Zidane praised Mr Deschamps, who won the 2018 World Cup and stepped down after the recent tournament, where Les Bleus lost in the semi-finals to Spain.

“Today I have the opportunity to be in charge of this team, and I will give everything so that this team can win,” he said. “I would also like to congratulate DD for these remarkable years.”

“What motivates me is the game; I was a No 10, I like goals,” Zidane said. “I was a leader on the field, and now I want to be a leader by experience.”

According to the President of the French football body, talks with the former France captain commenced in February 2025 after Mr Deschamps said he would stand down after the 2026 World Cup.

Mr Zidane will be looking to recreate his stellar player-coach career in Real Madrid with the French team, where he won the 1998 World Cup, scoring two iconic headed goals in the final to beat Brazil 3-0, as well as the Euro 2000, where he spearheaded the French midfield to a 2–1 final win over Italy, winning Player of the Tournament honours.

At the 2006 World Cup, he came out of international retirement to lead France to the final, winning the Golden Ball despite receiving a red card in his final professional match for a headbutt on Italy’s Marco Materazzi. France lost the game 5-3 on penalties.