Official: Zinedine Zidane Unveiled as France’s New Head Coach Until 2030 World Cup

The moment French football has been waiting for is finally here. France great Zinedine Zidane’s long-held ambition to coach the national team became reality on Tuesday when the French Football Federation appointed the former captain and World Cup winner as Didier Deschamps’ successor on a four-year contract. French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo announced Zinedine Zidane’s appointment as France’s new head coach at the FFF headquarters in Paris, giving the former Real Madrid coach a four-year contract.

Who is Zinedine Zidane?

Born on 23 June 1972 in Marseille, France, of Algerian descent, Zinedine Yazid Zidane is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. Known as “Zizou,” his vision, technique and elegance on the ball defined an entire generation of football.

Capped 108 times, Zidane won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and scored 31 goals for France. As a player, his history with France is legendary, being a world champion in 1998, a Euro 2000 champion, and the protagonist of iconic moments like the Panenka penalty in the 2006 final.

Zidane’s last game with the national team was in the 2006 World Cup final loss against Italy. He was sent off for headbutting Italian defender Marco Materazzi en route to France’s penalty shootout loss.

Appointment at a Glance

Playing Career at a Glance

Zidane’s Coaching Career at Real Madrid

Zidane became the manager of Real Madrid Castilla, Real Madrid’s B team, in 2014, before taking over Real Madrid in early 2016. The team went on to win La Liga in 2017 and capture three consecutive Champions League titles. But Zidane surprisingly resigned days after the 2018 Champions League final.

He returned to Real Madrid as manager in 2019 and led the club to a second La Liga title before leaving for the second and final time in May 2021. This move will see the French icon reenter the world of management after leaving his job as Real Madrid head coach in 2021.

Managerial Career Timeline

The Long Wait: How Zidane Finally Got His Dream Job

Deschamps was expected to step down after the 2022 World Cup, but he signed a new deal that came as a blow to Zidane. Zidane has turned down several job offers since leaving Madrid in the hopes of landing the France job.

Manchester United were one of several clubs to have reached out to the former Madrid midfielder, but he only had his heart set on leading the national team.

According to Fabrizio Romano, a verbal agreement between the parties was reached back in November. Since then, the decision to appoint Zidane has remained unchanged, despite interest in him from various clubs.

Zidane said: “I’ve always looked at this team through the eyes of a future manager. I didn’t take a club job for that reason. The only thing I wanted to do after Madrid was manage the French national team.”

The Salary Controversy

The negotiations surrounding Zidane’s salary proved complicated due to a new French law. The cap has been set at a gross annual salary of €450,000, mirroring the maximum allowed for the chairman and CEO of a public industrial and commercial establishment. French football chiefs completed Zinedine Zidane’s appointment as France head coach before this new professional sport governance law came into force, ensuring his contract is not bound by strict salary limits.

Zidane is reportedly set to earn a monthly salary of €300,000, which could allegedly increase to up to €450,000 through bonuses.

The combination of early contract timing, the federation’s financial independence and the minister’s non-interventionist stance has allowed the FFF to secure one of France’s most iconic football figures without falling under the new salary regime.

Zidane’s Words at the Unveiling

Speaking after his appointment, Zidane described taking charge of France as “a great source of pride.” He added: “I’ve often said it: there’s nothing greater than the French national team. So 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; I want to thank president Philippe Diallo, the executive committee, and the French Football Federation for their confidence and acknowledge the 14 years of service from Didier and his staff.”

Philippe Diallo’s Words

“This is an exceptional moment, exceptional because of the person sitting next to me,” Diallo said. “Zinedine is one of the legends of French soccer, and for many years he said one of his dreams was to take charge of the France team.”

Deschamps’ Legacy: What Zidane Inherits

The announcement comes after Didier Deschamps’ departure, who decided to end a 14-year cycle at the helm of Les Bleus. His tenure concluded at the FIFA World Cup 2026, where France reached the semi-finals but fell to Spain, and then lost 6-4 to England in the third-place match. Deschamps leaves an imposing legacy, having been world champion in 2018, finalist in 2022 and in Euro 2016, in addition to multiple qualifications to decisive stages.

Zidane’s Vision & Coaching Staff

The future coaching staff could comprise more than 25 people. Zidane is said to place great importance on data analysis.

Reports from L’Equipe suggest that Zidane wants to bring more women into the press service and data sectors. Furthermore, he wants his famous 1998 World Cup-winning teammate, Fabien Barthez, to serve as the team’s goalkeeper coach. While Barthez currently lacks the mandatory goalkeeper coaching certificate, the FFF and Zidane are working together to secure a temporary waiver.

France’s First Challenges Under Zidane

According to the French newspaper Ouest-France, the former Real Madrid coach will officially begin his duties as France’s manager on September 1, 2026.

The immediate challenge will be the Nations League, where France will face Turkey on September 25, followed by matches against Belgium and Italy. Zidane will need to quickly stamp his mark on a team that is already considered one of the most powerful on the planet.

Key Contract Details

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