France Appoint Zidane as New Head Coach after Deschamps’ Era Ends

Zinedine Zidane is set to take charge of France, ushering in a new era after the end of Didier Deschamps’ 14-year reign as Les Bleus manager.

The appointment has been expected since November, when the French Football Federation decided to hand the job to the former Real Madrid boss once Deschamps’ tenure ended.

Zidane has already assembled his coaching staff. The final documents are expected to be signed later this month before his appointment is officially announced.

The change closes one of the most successful chapters in French football history. Under Deschamps, France won the 2018 FIFA World Cup, claimed the UEFA Nations League, and reached the 2022 World Cup final. Their run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup ended with a semifinal defeat to Spain, before finishing fourth.

Now the task of returning France to the top falls to one of the country’s greatest icons.

Zidane arrives with an unmatched résumé as both player and manager. He led France to their first World Cup title at home in 1998 and to Euro 2000 glory.

As Real Madrid manager, he won three straight UEFA Champions League titles, two La Liga crowns, two FIFA Club World Cups and several other trophies.

The 54-year-old will begin with the UEFA Nations League, before leading France into Euro 2028 and the 2030 FIFA World Cup. That gives him a full cycle to build a new generation aimed at reclaiming football’s biggest prizes.

For Zidane, it is the fulfilment of a role many had tipped him for. He has long been seen as the natural successor to Deschamps, and now the country’s most decorated figure will coach the national team he once inspired to global glory.

Expectations will be high. But so is the belief that the man who conquered Europe with Real Madrid and delivered France’s greatest moment as a player can write history again — this time from the touchline.