Zidane appointed France head coach, replacing Deschamps after 14 years

Zinedine Zidane is returning to management. The 54-year-old has been named head coach of the France national team, ending a five-year absence from the dugout and stepping into one of football's most scrutinized roles. He replaces Didier Deschamps, who spent 14 years building the program into a World Cup-winning machine before departing following France's semi-final loss to Spain at this summer's tournament.

Zidane's appointment carries the weight of legend. As a player, he scored twice in the 1998 World Cup final to deliver France their first world championship, then won the Ballon d'Or that same year. He was part of the Euro 2000 triumph. His final act as a professional—a Panenka penalty in the 2006 World Cup final against Italy—remains etched in memory, even as it ended in heartbreak and a headbutt that sent him off the pitch. For French football, Zidane is not simply a former great; he is the greatest. Now he will try to rebuild a team that finished fourth in Qatar.

His managerial credentials are substantial. After a decade away from the game following his 2006 retirement, Zidane took charge of Real Madrid's B team in 2014, then ascended to the first team in January 2016. What followed was a period of sustained dominance. He won three consecutive Champions League titles—a feat no club had achieved in the modern era—and captured La Liga in 2016-17. When he departed after the 2017-18 season, citing a need for change, Real Madrid had become the standard by which European excellence was measured. He returned in March 2019 to steady a struggling side, won another Spanish league title in 2019-20, and oversaw major signings including Eden Hazard and Rodrygo. His final campaign, 2020-21, yielded no trophies, and he has not managed since.

The French Football Federation's president, Philippe Diallo, framed the appointment as a convergence of history and ambition. He called Zidane a "legend" and spoke of the meeting between a decorated coach and a squad with "rare potential." Zidane himself struck a measured tone in his statement, acknowledging both the honor and the weight. "There's nothing greater than the French national team," he said. "It's a joy and obviously a great source of pride to become the manager of this French national team. It's also a responsibility." He thanked Deschamps for 14 years of service and promised high ambitions for the squad.

Deschamps leaves behind a complex legacy. He guided France to three major finals over his tenure—winning the 2018 World Cup, reaching the 2016 Euro final, and the 2022 World Cup final—establishing himself as the nation's longest-serving manager. The semi-final exit to Spain this summer, however, marked the end of an era. Zidane's contract will run through the 2030 World Cup qualifiers, giving him a clear mandate: restore France to the summit.

His first test comes quickly. A Nations League fixture against Turkey on September 25 will be his competitive debut. Beyond that lies Euro 2028 qualifying, where the squad will attempt to rebuild momentum. Zidane has been linked with the France job before—first after the 2010 World Cup group-stage elimination—but the timing never aligned. Now, at 54, with five years away from management, he is stepping into the role at a moment when the team needs both restoration and renewal. Whether his legendary status as a player translates into the sustained success required to win another World Cup remains the question that will define his tenure.