Zidane confirmed by France: these were his first words as Les Bleus’ boss

Zinedine Zidane is coming home. After four long years on the sidelines, during which he turned down offers from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, the wait is finally at an end. The French icon was officially unveiled as the new head coach of the France national team, succeeding Didier Deschamps. His first major objective will be to restore one of the most talent-rich squads in world soccer to the top of the game. The journey begins on September 25 in Turkey, in the UEFA Nations League group stage. In a twist of fate, Zidane’s first match on French soil as national team manager will come against Italy, the same opponent he faced in the final match of his playing career, a World Cup final that ended with his infamous extra-time red card for headbutting Marco Materazzi.

“A dream come true”

Expected as the appointment may have been, it remains a historic one. Zidane was the driving force behind one of the greatest generations in French soccer history, leading Les Bleus to the 1998 World Cup title before adding a European Championship and the now-defunct FIFA Confederations Cup. After stepping away from international duty, he returned in spectacular fashion for the 2006 World Cup. He was unstoppable from the round of 16 onward, until that dramatic finale against Italy. Twenty years later, he returns to the French setup to lead the ambitious project he has dreamed about for years.

“Today is a continuation of my journey, a dream come true,” Zidane said in his first remarks as head coach of Les Bleus. “For four or five years, I received offers to manage clubs, and I turned them all down because of the French national team. It’s the only job I wanted. I knew it from childhood. I came through the youth ranks, passed through every stage, and eventually reached the senior national team. I’m going to give everything I have to ensure this team keeps winning. That’s the only thing that motivates me.”

Specifically, the story dates back to 2022. Everything appeared to be in place for Zidane to take over the national team. However, then-French Soccer Federation president Noël Le Graët, who was removed from office in 2023 following public controversy over comments about Zidane, unilaterally chose to extend Deschamps’ contract. Many felt a new direction was needed, but the outgoing manager guided France to back-to-back semifinal appearances at Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup. Those runs helped cap a 14-year tenure that delivered a World Cup title and a UEFA Nations League crown.

Zidane’s appointment had long been viewed as inevitable, even as the French Soccer Federation worked diligently to avoid any leaks. For four years, Zidane refused to entertain offers from elsewhere. His sole ambition was to manage the French national team, the side for which he is regarded as one of the greatest players in history, if not the greatest alongside Michel Platini. Following France’s World Cup semifinal elimination against Spain, the federation accelerated negotiations to finalize his appointment, which was completed before July 21. The announcement felt imminent. Today, the dream has become reality.

Zidane will arrive with a staff of 25 specialists covering every area of the program. According to initial estimates, he will earn around $350,000 annually. France now has the figure it has long desired, the manager many hoped would eventually take charge. It is the role Zidane has coveted ever since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, his most recent coaching position. It is a union that always felt destined, and one now being celebrated across the country.

Zidane: “I’m ready for the challenge”

• Objectives: “It’s an immense joy. I’m happy about what’s happening to me. I don’t have the words. I’m holding back because I’m feeling a lot of emotions inside me. I’m ready for the challenge.”
• Playing style: “You’ll soon see my style. We’ll hold a press conference in September. I’m passionate about soccer. I played as a No. 10, and what motivates me is scoring goals. I spent 25 years in Spain, and you know what that means. On the field, I was a leader. Today, I’m becoming a leader through my experience.”
• Kylian Mbappé: “We haven’t spoken with Kylian yet. The most important thing for him right now is to rest. We’ll have the opportunity to discuss all of this with him, and with all the players, very soon in September.”
• Happiness: “Yes, this is the greatest day of Zidane’s coaching career. On the field, I was a leader. Today, I want to be a leader through my experience and through what I believe I am as a coach. You’ll see that in due time.”
• Spain: “It’s not only about facing Spain. They’re a tough team. My priority is the first match, which is against Turkey. We have four games in September. I’ll have almost three weeks with the players, which is ideal for preparing things.”
• France’s expectations: “I always saw this team as my future. That’s why I didn’t take a club job. The only thing I wanted after Madrid was to coach the French national team. I could have taken on a three-year project because DD [Deschamps] was still there. He made his decision in January 2025, and the next day I knew I wanted to be next. We met with the president, and the agreement was sealed.”
• Deschamps: “We don’t currently have plans to speak with Deschamps, although we would like to.”
• His time away from coaching after Madrid: “I wasn’t sitting around doing nothing. I watched a lot of matches, even more than when I was coaching Real Madrid. I followed the French national team closely and observed many things.”
• On racism: “We live in a beautiful country, one enriched by its diversity. I grew up in a neighborhood where there was room for everyone.”
• Zidane’s staff: “My trusted coaching staff is already in place. It’s virtually the same group I worked with throughout my years at Real Madrid, perhaps with two or three additions. I’m loyal in that sense, and we’re going to continue this journey together with those few people.”

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