Zinedine Zidane has been named as the new head coach of France for the next four years, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced on Tuesday.
The 54-year-old will take over from longtime head coach Didier Deschamps, who stepped down after the 2026 World Cup, which ended in disappointment for Les Bleus.
Zidane will be counted on to lift the organization’s spirits after the national team, which was widely regarded as one of the favorites to win the title in North America, was bounced from the tournament by eventual winner Spain in the semifinals. Les Bleus were then beaten by England in the third-place match.
This move will see the French icon re-enter the world of management after leaving his job as Real Madrid head coach in 2021.
“I have often said there is nothing greater than the French national team. It is therefore a joy and obviously a great honor to become the coach of France. It is also a responsibility. I want to thank President Philippe Diallo, the Executive Committee and the French Football Federation for their trust and salute the 14 years of Didier and his staff,” Zidane said in a press release on the FFF website.
“I also have a special thought today for all my teachers. Needless to say, I have a lot of ambition for the French Team!”
Zidane will now be looking to emulate former teammate Deschamps by joining the exclusive club of people who have won the World Cup as both player and manager.