Zinedine Zidane named France's new head coach after Deschamps' 14-year tenure

Paris : Zinedine Zidane has been appointed as the new manager of the France national team, the Federation Francaise de Football (FFF) announced on Tuesday.

Zidane was widely expected to succeed Didier Deschamps, whose 14-year tenure came to an end following the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Deschamps had announced early last year that he would leave the role, opening the door for Zidane's return to management. The former France captain has signed a four-year contract.

Regarded as one of France's greatest-ever players, Zidane transitioned into coaching after retiring from football. Four years after hanging up his boots, he returned to Real Madrid as a special adviser to the first team.

In 2013, he became assistant coach under Carlo Ancelotti before taking charge of Real Madrid Castilla. Zidane was promoted to lead the senior side in early 2016, replacing Rafael Benitez.

During his first stint as Real Madrid manager, Zidane guided the club to an unprecedented three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles.

He stepped down just days after leading the team to its 13th European Cup, saying the club needed a change. Zidane returned to the position in 2019 following unsuccessful spells under Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari.

Under his leadership, Real Madrid won the Covid-affected 2019-20 La Liga title, his second league triumph with the club after winning the competition in 2017.

Zidane resigned again after Real Madrid ended the 2020-21 season without a trophy. The 1998 Ballon d'Or winner has remained without a managerial role since then.

France, despite dominating a large part of the group and knockout stages, fell to Spain 2-0 and to England 4-6 in the third-place match. Despite Mbappe being the leading goal-scorer of the tournament with 10 goals and surpassing Lionel Messi's tally to become the all-time highest FIFA World Cup scorer with 22 goals, Mbappe could not get the ending he wanted.

Nonetheless, his run from the 2018 FIFA World Cup title win to the 2026 semifinals, which also included a runners-up finish in 2022, where he gave Messi-led Argentina a scare in the final with a hat-trick, is one of the finest runs in FIFA World Cup history.