The French national team begins a new stage led by one of the greatest legends in its history. Zinedine Zidane was officially presented this Tuesday as the new national coach, replacing Didier Deschamps, and signed a contract that will link him with the French team until after the 2030 World Cup.
During his presentation in Paris, Zidane expressed his excitement at assuming the position that, he said, he always dreamed of occupying after his successful time at Real Madrid.
“I am ready to face the challenge,” said the former footballer and coach, who acknowledged that he rejected several offers in recent years because leading France was his main objective.
At 54 years old, “Zizou” returns to the French team two decades after playing his last game with the blue shirt, in the final of the 2006 World Cup in Germany against Italy.
The Deschamps relief
Zidane’s arrival seemed a matter of time. For years he was considered the successor of Didier Deschamps, who led France for 14 years and won the 2018 World Cup in Russia, in addition to reaching the final in Qatar 2022.
Both shared a dressing room in the generation that led France to win its first world title, in 1998, so the replacement represents the beginning of a new stage for the team.
In his first appearance as coach, Zidane praised Deschamps’ work and assured that he will seek to keep France among the main powers in international football.
𝗭𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗭𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗡𝗘, 𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗩𝗘𝗔𝗨 𝗦𝗘́𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗨𝗥 𝗗𝗘 𝗟’𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗣𝗘 𝗗𝗘 𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 🐓🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/5ocGyYETNm
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) July 28, 2026
From Real Madrid to the French team
Although it will be his first experience leading a national team, Zidane arrives with an outstanding career. He directed only the Real Madrid, a club with which he won three consecutive Champions Leagues between 2016 and 2018.
After a second stage in the merengue team, between 2019 and 2021, he moved away from the bench while waiting for the opportunity to lead the French team. Now he will have the responsibility of leading a generation led by Mbappé, Olise, Dembelé, Tchouaméni and Saliba, among others.
Zidane also announced that his football proposal will be influenced by the experience accumulated during his years in Spain, both as a player and a coach.
France is betting on a figure with extensive experience to remain among the world’s leading teams and seek new titles over the next decade.
With Zidane on the bench, Les Bleus open a new stage with the expectation of maintaining international prominence under the technical direction of one of the most important footballers in their history.