Zinedine Zidane appointed France national team head coach on four-year deal

Zinedine Zidane has been confirmed as head coach of the France national team. The former Real Madrid manager, 54, has signed a four-year contract that will see him lead the nation through the 2030 World Cup qualifiers. He replaces Didier Deschamps, whose 14-year tenure ended after France's semi-final exit to Spain at the 2026 World Cup.

Zidane, a World Cup winner with France in 1998, has been out of management since leaving Real Madrid for a second time in 2021. His appointment comes after France finished fourth at the 2026 World Cup. His first competitive fixture in charge will be a Nations League trip to Turkey on 25 September.

On being appointed, Zidane said it was "a great source of pride" to lead the French national side. "There's nothing greater than the French national team. So it's a joy and obviously a great source of pride to become the manager of this French national team," he said. "It's also a responsibility. I want to thank French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo, the executive committee, and the French Football Federation for their confidence and acknowledge the 14 years of service from Didier and his staff. I also have a special thought today for all my coaches. Needless to say, I have high ambitions for the French national team."

Federation welcomes appointment

French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo described Zidane as a "legend" of French football. "The appointment of Zinedine Zidane as head coach of the French national team is a source of immense pride for the French Football Federation," Diallo said. "It marks the meeting of a legend in the history of Les Bleus, who has become one of the most decorated and respected coaches of his generation, and a team with rare potential, driven by the highest ambitions."

Managerial record at Real Madrid

Zidane's managerial career began in 2014 when he became coach of Real Madrid Castilla, the club's B team. He was promoted to first-team manager in January 2016 and immediately achieved success, leading Madrid to Champions League victory in his first season with a win over city rivals Atletico Madrid in the final on penalties.

That victory marked the first of three successive Champions League titles for Madrid, making them the first club to win back-to-back European crowns in the Champions League era and the first to win three titles in a row since Bayern Munich in 1976. Zidane also won La Liga in 2016-17 before departing, saying change was needed at the Bernabeu.

Zidane returned to Madrid in March 2019 when the club was in poor form and won another Spanish league title in 2019-20. He oversaw a period of extensive spending at Madrid, including the signings of Eden Hazard and Rodrygo, but left at the end of a trophyless 2020-21 campaign.

Playing career highlights

Zidane started his playing career at Cannes in 1989, then played for Bordeaux before joining Juventus in 1996. As an attacking midfielder, he helped the Italian side win back-to-back Serie A titles and reach successive Champions League finals.

He joined Real Madrid in 2001 for £66 million, then the world record transfer fee, as part of the club's Galacticos era alongside other global stars including Ronaldo, Luis Figo and David Beckham. He delivered on that fee in the 2002 Champions League final, scoring a stunning volleyed winner as Madrid beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 at Hampden Park.

For France, Zidane made his greatest contribution as a player with two headed goals in the 1998 World Cup final in Paris. France beat Brazil 3-0 to win the World Cup for the first time, and Zidane won the Ballon d'Or later that year. He was also part of the France team that won Euro 2000.

Zidane retired from international football in 2004 but was persuaded to return during qualifying for the 2006 World Cup. He was a key player in France advancing through the knock-out stages to the final against Italy, his final match as a professional footballer, and scored the opener with a Panenka penalty off the crossbar after seven minutes. Italy equalised and the game went to extra time, during which Zidane headbutted Marco Materazzi and was dismissed. Italy won the final on penalties.

Zidane's predecessor Deschamps guided France to three major finals over his 14-year reign, helping the country to their second World Cup success with victory in 2018. Zidane has long been courted to become France manager and was first linked with the job after the team was knocked out of the 2010 World Cup in the group stage.