Zinedine Zidane has been confirmed as the new manager of the France national team, the French Football Federation announced on Monday, ending years of speculation about when the legendary midfielder would finally take the reins of Les Bleus. Zidane succeeds Didier Deschamps, who stepped down after the 2026 World Cup, closing a 14-year tenure that made him the longest-serving and most successful manager in the history of the French national team.
Zidane France Manager | The Appointment That Was Always Coming
The appointment has felt inevitable for years. Zidane had been openly linked with the France job since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, and the FFF had long viewed him as the natural successor to Deschamps. The timing was the only question. Deschamps, who captained France to their 1998 World Cup triumph with Zidane as his teammate, had extended his contract through the 2026 tournament, and the federation was content to wait until the cycle concluded naturally.
Zidane inherits a France squad that remains one of the deepest in world football. Kylian Mbappe, now 27, is the undisputed centerpiece, and the generation that won the 2018 World Cup still forms the spine of the team. The challenge for Zidane will be integrating the next wave of French talent while managing the expectations that come with a program that has reached three of the last four World Cup finals.
Zidane Managerial Record | Three Champions Leagues, Two La Liga Titles
Zidane's managerial resume is defined by his two spells at Real Madrid. In his first stint, between 2016 and 2018, he won three consecutive Champions League titles, a feat unmatched in the modern era, along with one La Liga title. He returned in 2019 and added a second La Liga title in 2020 before departing again in 2021. His ability to manage elite egos, navigate the political pressures of a superclub, and deliver in knockout competitions made him the obvious candidate for a France job that demands exactly those skills.
The transition from club to international management is not always seamless, but Zidane's playing career with France, 108 caps, the 1998 World Cup, the 2000 European Championship, gives him an institutional credibility with the French public that no other candidate could match. He is the most iconic French footballer of his generation, and his appointment carries a symbolic weight that extends beyond tactics.
Deschamps Legacy | 14 Years, One World Cup, Two Finals
Deschamps leaves the France job as the most decorated figure in the program's history. He took over in 2012, rebuilt the team after the dysfunction of the 2010 World Cup, and delivered the 2018 World Cup title. France reached the 2022 final, losing to Argentina on penalties, and remained a consistent force through the 2026 cycle. His 14-year tenure is the longest of any France manager, and his departure marks the end of an era that restored French football to the top of the global hierarchy.
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