Zinedine Zidane returns as France head coach

Zinedine Zidane has been appointed as France’s new head coach, completing a long-anticipated return to the national team he once inspired as a player. The French Football Federation confirmed the move on Tuesday, with Zidane replacing Didier Deschamps and beginning a new cycle for one of the strongest sides in international football.

A succession years in the making

Zidane’s arrival had been widely expected in France for some time, particularly after Deschamps announced that he would step down this summer. By the end of the World Cup, the sense that Zidane would be next had only grown stronger, and his unveiling in Paris carried the feel of a landmark moment rather than a surprise appointment.

The FFF president, Philippe Diallo, described the change as the start of a new era and said discussions with Zidane began in February 2025, shortly after Deschamps made his intentions clear. Diallo also framed the appointment as the natural meeting point between a federation seeking authority and stature on the touchline and a figure whose standing in French football is beyond question.

The atmosphere around the federation’s headquarters reflected that significance. Supporters gathered outside with flags, flares and drums, while a large media presence underlined the scale of the occasion. In France, this was not simply a coaching change but the homecoming of one of the country’s defining football figures.

Zidane: France was the only job he wanted

Zidane said he had turned down several club offers over the last four to five years because his focus was fixed on the national team. For the former Real Madrid manager, taking charge of France represented the fulfilment of a personal ambition rather than a career move of convenience.

He spoke of his emotional connection to the national setup, having progressed through French teams from youth level to the senior side. Zidane described the appointment as the greatest day of his managerial career and made clear that he feels ready for the challenge.

Those years away from the dugout appear, in his view, to have been part of a longer preparation for this role. He said he had followed France both as a supporter and as a future coach, suggesting that this opportunity had shaped his thinking for some time.

Few clues yet on style or selection

Zidane’s first appearance as France head coach offered only limited insight into the practical details of what comes next. He avoided committing himself on whether Kylian Mbappé would remain captain, saying he first needed to meet the squad and assess its outstanding talent up close.

What he did stress was the need to keep France winning. He also indicated that, while continuity matters, his tenure will carry its own identity. In a light-hearted remark, he suggested that previous eras under Laurent Blanc and Didier Deschamps should not be used as templates for what is to come under him.

Asked about his footballing ideas, Zidane referenced his own background as a No 10. Whether that points to a more expansive direction remains uncertain, but it did hint that some tactical evolution may follow.

The challenge ahead

Zidane takes over with France still among the elite of the international game, but with clear targets ahead. One of the longer-term aims will be to measure up against the reigning world champions, who have beaten France in three straight tournament semi-finals.

Having spent 25 years in Spain, Zidane acknowledged his familiarity with Spanish football, yet he was careful to broaden the point. France’s task, he said, is not to focus on one rival alone but to be ready to overcome every opponent.

His contract runs for four years, giving him time to shape the next phase of the national team. For a country that has waited years for this appointment, the symbolism is obvious. Zidane is back, and France now enters an era built around one of its greatest names.