Zinedine Zidane has been appointed France coach, replacing Didier Deschamps after the French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed the move on Tuesday.
The 54-year-old had been widely expected to get the job and had waited several years for the chance to lead the national team.
Deschamps’ time in charge began in 2012 and ended earlier this month after France finished fourth at the World Cup. He also led France to the 2018 World Cup title and the final four years later.
“For me, it’s an immense joy… being able to become the coach of this French team. I don’t have any other words,” said Zidane, who signed a four-year contract running until the 2030 World Cup, co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
“I’m holding myself back because I have so many emotions inside me. I’m ready for the challenge, that’s what drives me today.”
Zidane, a former Real Madrid star and Deschamps’ teammate in France’s 1998 World Cup-winning team, has been preparing for the role since leaving Real Madrid in 2021.
“The France job was the only one I wanted,” Zidane said in Paris during his unveiling, where he signed autographs and took photos with fans outside FFF headquarters.
“I’ve had offers over these four or five years to take charge of a club and I turned them all down for the French national team.”
Zidane scored twice in France’s 1998 World Cup final win over Brazil and won Euro 2000 as a player. Real Madrid is the only club he has coached.
At Real Madrid, he won three straight Champions League titles in 2016, 2017 and 2018, an unprecedented feat in the competition’s modern era.
“I think it’s a completely different job, that’s for sure,” said Zidane. “I’ve experienced the club side of it. Now this is something new for me, but it doesn’t scare me.”
He follows former France teammates Laurent Blanc and Deschamps as national team coach.
“I’m going to give everything so that this team keeps on winning. That’s it, the only thing that drives me is being able to work for this France team and making sure it keeps on winning.”
“‘DD’ (Deschamps) is ‘DD’, Blanc was Blanc and ‘Zizou’ is Zizou’.
“I will do things the way I know how to do them.”
FFF president Philippe Diallo said he first met Zidane in February 2025, after Deschamps announced he would leave following the 2026 World Cup.
“There was one thing that struck me, that perhaps ultimately made the difference,” said Diallo. “During the conversations we had, he said to me, ‘President, I know how to win.’
“When he said that, I saw someone who had both the desire and the self-belief needed to lead France. That is what it takes for our national team to remain successful in the years ahead.”
Zidane’s first France game will be away to Turkey in the UEFA Nations League on September 25. His first home match will be against Italy at the Stade de France on October 2.
