France appoint Zidane as head coach on four-year deal

The French Football Federation (FFF) has officially unveiled Zinedine Zidane as the new head coach of the France national team, ushering in a new era for one of world football’s most successful nations.

The former World Cup-winning midfielder was presented to the media on Monday morning, succeeding Didier Deschamps, who steps down after 14 years in charge.

Few appointments in international football carry as much expectation as Zidane’s return to Les Bleus.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time and among the most successful managers of the modern era, the 54-year-old now takes charge of the country he famously inspired to global glory as a player.

Born in Marseille on 23 June 1972, Zidane enjoyed an illustrious playing career with Cannes, Bordeaux, Juventus and Real Madrid.

Renowned for his elegance, vision and exceptional technique, he won league titles in Italy and Spain before producing one of football’s most iconic moments with his stunning volley in Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 UEFA Champions League final.

For France, Zidane earned 108 international caps and scored 31 goals between 1994 and 2006.

He was the driving force behind the country’s greatest achievements, scoring twice in the 1998 FIFA World Cup final as France defeated Brazil 3-0 to lift the trophy for the first time.

Two years later, he inspired Les Bleus to UEFA Euro 2000 success, becoming one of only a handful of players to win both the World Cup and the European Championship.

He also guided France to the 2006 World Cup final, winning the tournament's Golden Ball despite his infamous sending-off against Italy.

Individually, Zidane’s list of honours is equally remarkable.

He won the FIFA World Player of the Year award three times (1998, 2000 and 2003), claimed the Ballon d’Or in 1998, was named UEFA’s Best European Player and has regularly featured in FIFA and UEFA all-time greatest teams.

His coaching career has been just as extraordinary.

After taking charge of Real Madrid in 2016, Zidane guided the Spanish giants to an unprecedented three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018.

Under his leadership, Madrid also won two La Liga titles, two FIFA Club World Cups, two UEFA Super Cups and two Spanish Super Cups, making him one of the most decorated managers in the club's history.

Zidane now inherits one of international football’s richest legacies.

France’s coaching history stretches back to the inaugural FIFA World Cup in 1930, although major success arrived decades later.

Michel Hidalgo guided France to their first major international trophy by winning UEFA Euro 1984.

Aimé Jacquet delivered the nation’s first FIFA World Cup in 1998, while Roger Lemerre followed by lifting UEFA Euro 2000.

Under Didier Deschamps, France claimed the 2018 FIFA World Cup, reached the 2022 World Cup final, won the 2021 UEFA Nations League, and finished runners-up at Euro 2016 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Other notable France head coaches include Albert Batteux, Henri Guérin, Stefan Kovács, Henri Michel, Gérard Houllier, Raymond Domenech, and Laurent Blanc, all of whom contributed to the development of Les Bleus but did not secure either the FIFA World Cup or the UEFA European Championship.

With UEFA Euro 2028 and the 2030 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, Zidane’s appointment signals France’s determination to remain among football’s elite.