Zinedine Zidane is France’s new head coach: in a few months, he’ll face Italy

Zinedine Zidane is the head coach of France. As widely expected, the former star of Juventus and Real Madrid has become the new head coach of Les Bleus, succeeding Didier Deschamps, who is stepping down after 14 years at the helm.

“It had been 14 years since the federation was in a position to appoint a new head coach. I’d like to say a few words about Deschamps: for years, he led the French national team to the top. He restored Les Bleus’ reputation on the field. It’s important that his work be recognized,” said French Football Federation President Philippe Diallo.

Zidane has signed a contract through 2030 and will lead the French national team in the 2028 European Championship and the 2030 World Cup: “It’s an immense joy. I’m truly happy. I’m ready for the challenge; it motivates me. Leading France is the only thing I wanted to do after my time at Real Madrid. I turned down offers to become France’s head coach.”

“I’ve known this since I was a child; I started in the youth ranks and worked my way up through every level to reach the senior national team—the pinnacle. The only thing that motivates me is being able to work for this team and see it continue to win.”

Under Deschamps’s leadership, France has played 186 matches, winning 120 of them. During this period, Les Bleus won the 2018 World Cup, finished second in 2022, and fourth in 2026. Their best result at the European Championship was reaching the 2016 final, which they lost to Portugal.