Zinedine Zidane has been appointed as the head coach of the France national football team [1].
The appointment marks a significant shift in leadership for Les Bleus as the federation seeks to return to the top of the global game. Zidane, one of the most decorated players and managers in football history, returns to the international stage to revitalize a squad that recently struggled to reach the final stages of the world's premier tournament.
Zidane officially took the role on July 28, 2026 [1]. He replaces Didier Deschamps, whose tenure began in 2012 [3]. The transition follows a disappointing fourth-place finish for France at the most recent World Cup [4], an outcome that triggered the change in leadership at the French Football Federation.
This return to coaching comes after a period of absence for Zidane. His last major managerial role ended in 2021 when he left Real Madrid [5]. By stepping into the national team role, Zidane moves from club management back to the international arena, where he previously served as a player and a symbol of French sporting success.
The federation has set a clear long-term objective for the new manager. Zidane is tasked with delivering a victory at the 2030 World Cup [2]. This timeline gives the new coach several years to implement his tactical philosophy, and integrate new talent into the roster.
Zidane's appointment is viewed as a move to restore the psychological edge of the national team. Having managed at the highest level of European club football, he brings a pedigree of winning that the federation believes is necessary to overcome the hurdles encountered during the previous World Cup cycle.
“Zinedine Zidane has been appointed as the head coach of the France national football team”
The appointment of Zidane signals a strategic pivot by the French Football Federation to prioritize elite winning experience over continuity. By setting a target for the 2030 World Cup, the federation is acknowledging that a complete cultural and tactical overhaul of the squad is required to move past the fourth-place finish of the previous cycle.
