Zinedine Zidane has been announced as France's new manager, signing a four-year deal with Les Bleus to succeed his former Juventus and France team-mate Didier Deschamps.
The 54-year-old was unveiled on Tuesday morning at the French Football Federation's headquarters in Paris, alongside federation president Philippe Diallo. It is Zidane's first return to management since he left Real Madrid in 2021.
Zidane said he had rejected other offers while waiting for the France job to become available. "The French team was the only thing I wanted to do," he told reporters.
"I've always looked at this team through the eyes of a future manager. I didn't take a club job for that reason. The only thing I wanted to do after Madrid was manage the French national team," Zidane said.
"I could have taken on a three-year role because Deschamps was there. He made that decision in January 2025, and the very next day I knew I wanted to be the next one. We met with the president and the deal was sealed."
Deschamps era ends after 14 years
Deschamps left the role after 14 years in charge, following a 2-0 semi-final defeat to eventual champions Spain at the World Cup. France finished fourth after losing 6-4 to England in the third-place play-off.
Over 185 matches, Deschamps recorded 120 victories, winning the 2018 World Cup, the 2020-21 Nations League and reaching the Euro 2016 and 2022 World Cup finals.
Zidane and Deschamps were team-mates in France's 1998 World Cup-winning side on home soil. Zidane played a pivotal role in that triumph and won the Ballon d'Or that year, going on to make 108 appearances for France, scoring 31 goals and providing 29 assists.
Zidane on his style and 1998 triumph
"You'll see my style soon," Zidane said. "I'm driven by the game. I was a No 10, and what drives me is scoring goals. I lived in Spain for 25 years, you know what that means. On the pitch, I was a leader. Now I'm becoming a leader through my experience."
"Winning in '98 is the best thing that's ever happened to me, winning with my team-mates. I spent those four or five years waiting for that day. I'm emotional; you can't see it, but I'm so excited. I'm happy."
Diallo confirms 2025 negotiations
Diallo said negotiations with Zidane began in February 2025, after Deschamps said he would stand down following the 2026 World Cup.
"This is an exceptional moment, exceptional because of the person sat next to me," Diallo said. "Zinedine is one of the legends of French soccer and for many years he said one of his dreams was to take charge of the France team."
"I would like to thank Didier Deschamps and his staff for their work. For 14 years he led the France team to the top," Diallo added.
Zidane's schedule ahead
The four-year deal means Zidane will work through at least the 2030 World Cup, covering two Nations League campaigns in 2026-27 and 2028-29 as well as Euro 2028.
His first match in charge will be away to Turkiye in the Nations League on September 25, followed by a trip to Belgium on September 28. His first home game will come against Italy on October 2.
