Zinedine Zidane is officially the new head coach of the France national team. This is a massive move for Les Bleus, coming off their fourth-place finish at the 2026 World Cup, where their semi-final exit to Spain brought an end to Didier Deschamps’ epic 14-year stint. Zidane, widely considered France’s greatest player, is back on the sidelines, and he’s inked a deal to lead the nation all the way through the 2030 World Cup qualifiers. Talk about long-term vision!
The Legend Returns to the Sidelines
This isn’t just any coaching change, folks. We’re talking about Zidane, a World Cup winner with France back in 1998 as a player, now taking the reins of his national team. He’s been out of management since leaving Real Madrid for a second time in 2021, and the world has been waiting for his return. Zidane, at 54 years old, made it clear what this means to him.
“There’s nothing greater than the French national team,” Zidane said. “So it’s a joy and obviously a great source of pride to become the manager of this French national team.” He called it “a great source of pride” and acknowledged the massive responsibility. French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo echoed that excitement, calling Zidane a “legend” and talking about the “immense pride” this appointment brings. Diallo summed it up: it’s “the meeting of a legend… and a team with rare potential, driven by the highest ambitions.” The pressure is on, and Zidane is ready.
A Track Record of Pure Gold
Zidane’s managerial career? It’s straight up legendary. After hanging up his boots as a player following the 2006 World Cup, he started coaching Real Madrid Castilla in 2014. By January 2016, he was leading the first team. What happened next was insane: he grabbed the Champions League title that very season, beating city rivals Atletico Madrid on penalties. That wasn’t a fluke, either. It was the first of three successive Champions League titles for Madrid, making them the first club in the Champions League era to win back-to-back European crowns, and the first to win three in a row since Bayern Munich did it way back in 1976. He also snagged La Liga in 2016-17!
He stepped away for a bit, citing a need for change, but returned in March 2019 when Madrid was struggling. What did he do? Won another Spanish league title in 2019-20! He also oversaw a period of extensive spending, bringing in players like Eden Hazard and Rodrygo. He left after a trophyless 2020-21 campaign, and he hasn’t managed since then. This dude knows how to win at the highest level, no doubt.
Zidane’s first competitive fixture as France head coach is a Nations League trip to Turkey on September 25. He’ll also lead the French into qualifying for Euro 2028. After a 16-year wait since he was first linked to the job, Zidane is finally here. Can he bring World Cup glory back to France by 2030? You know he has high ambitions!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by BBC Sport.
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