The French national team ushered in a new era with the official announcement of Zinedine Zidane as its new head coach, bringing to a close the era of Didier Deschamps, the coach who led Les Bleus to the 2018 World Cup title in Russia and to two consecutive World Cup finals.
The French Football Federation confirmed the appointment of the former soccer player and former Real Madrid coach, who signed a contract that will keep him at the helm of the national team until after the 2030 World Cup.
At 54, Zidane returns to the French national team two decades after playing his last match for the national side—the memorable 2006 World Cup final in Germany. Now he takes the helm from the bench, with the mission of keeping Les Bleus among the top powers in international soccer.
The former midfielder returns to coaching after a five-year hiatus, following the conclusion of his second stint with Real Madrid, the only club he has ever coached in his career. During his first stint with the Spanish club, he won three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018—one of the most successful periods for a coach in recent European soccer history.
Zidane’s arrival at the French national team had been anticipated for several years and only came to fruition following the conclusion of Didier Deschamps’ long tenure, during which he spent fourteen years at the helm of the national team and presided over one of the most successful eras in the history of French soccer.
With a winning track record as both a player and a coach, in addition to the respect he commands among French fans, Zidane is embarking on a new project with the goal of maintaining France’s prominence on the international stage and preparing the team for the challenges ahead on the road to the 2030 World Cup.
