Zinedine Zidane appointed France head coach on four-year deal

Published Jul 28, 06:33 PM UTC

Zinedine Zidane has been officially appointed as the new head coach of the French men's national football team, signing a four-year contract. The announcement was made at a press conference at the French Football Federation headquarters in Paris on July 28, 2026. Zidane, who had been out of management since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, had long stated his only interest in returning to coaching was to lead Les Bleus. He replaces Didier Deschamps, who decided in January 2025 to step down after the 2026 World Cup. The 54-year-old Zidane, a World Cup and European Championship winner as a player with France in 1998 and 2000, was greeted by enthusiastic fans outside the FFF building. The article explores Zidane's enigmatic personality, his deep connection to the national team, and the significance of his appointment for French football.