Zinedine Zidane appointed France manager on four-year contract

Published Jul 28, 05:04 PM UTC

Zinedine Zidane has been officially unveiled as the new manager of the France national football team, succeeding Didier Deschamps after the 2026 World Cup. At his Paris press conference, an emotional Zidane stated he had waited years for this role, turning down other offers. He signaled continuity with Deschamps' attacking style but hinted at changes. The 54-year-old, who won three Champions Leagues with Real Madrid, faces the challenge of managing a star-studded squad including Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise. His appointment has been met with widespread enthusiasm from players and fans, with Mbappe posting 'Welcome home' on Instagram. Zidane's four-year contract begins in September 2026.