Destiny seemed written years ago. Zinédine Zidane is officially the new coach of the France team. After taking charge of the Blues in 2012, in a context still marked by the trauma of Knysna, Didier Deschamps leaves behind an immense legacy. Under his leadership, France returned to the top by qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, before competing in the Euro 2016 final and then winning the supreme title at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Despite a disappointment during the following Euro, the Tricolores once again thrilled an entire country in Qatar by reaching the final of the 2022 World Cup, ultimately lost on penalties to Lionel Messi’s Argentina. Deschamps’ adventure definitively ended after the elimination against Spain (0-2) in the semi-final of the 2026 World Cup, putting an end to fourteen years which will have deeply marked the history of the French selection.
As everyone imagined for a long time, it is now Zinédine Zidane who takes up the torch. The former number 10 of the Blues has not coached since 2021 and has systematically rejected all the offers made to him, whether from Premier League clubs, a return to Real Madrid or other major European teams. His goal has never changed: to one day take control of the French team. The French Football Federation and its president Philippe Diallo finally made this obvious reality by relying on an exceptional CV. After a first stint with Real Madrid Castilla between 2014 and 2016, Zidane was propelled to the head of the first team, which he led to an unprecedented feat with three consecutive Champions Leagues. He also won two European Super Cups, two La Liga titles, two Spanish Super Cups and two Club World Cups. His second stint on the Madrid bench, between 2019 and 2021, also ended with a positive record with 68 victories, 26 draws and only 20 defeats.
An already special link with the French team
The mission that awaits Zidane is immense, but it does not consist of rebuilding a French team in ruins. On the contrary, he inherits a particularly promising generation which will reach maturity during the 2030 World Cup. Warren Zaire-Emery will only be 24 years old, Désiré Doué 25 years old, Michael Olise will be approaching thirty just like Manu Koné, while Kylian Mbappé, who will then be 31 years old, will bring all his experience to the group. Indeed, Zidane must above all be a leader of men, as he was at Real Madrid by managing a locker room made up of world stars.
His unique link with the Blues, where he won the 1998 World Cup, Euro 2000, the 1998 Ballon d’Or and was voted best FIFA player of the year three times, further reinforces the significance of this nomination. A new era is now opening for the France team, with the next Nations League in their sights, but especially Euro 2028, the first major meeting of the Zidane era. “At the end of an Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday morning, the French Football Federation and its President, Philippe Diallo, are pleased to announce the appointment of Zinédine Zidane to the position of coach of the French men’s team for the next four years, until the 2030 World Cup”announces the FFF.
