Zinedine Zidane is poised for a managerial return, having reportedly signed a four-year deal to succeed Didier Deschamps as head coach of the France national team.
The contract, confirmed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano with his customary “Here we go” declaration, keeps the former Real Madrid boss at the helm until June 2030. An official unveiling is expected in the coming days, although the French Football Federation (FFF) had yet to issue a formal statement at the time of this report.
A new era for Les Bleus
The 54-year-old replaces Deschamps, whose 14-year tenure concludes following the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Zidane’s immediate fixture list includes the 2027 UEFA Nations League, Euro 2028, and the 2030 World Cup finals, marking a long-term commitment to rebuilding the national side.
This appointment ends Zidane’s five-year hiatus from the dugout since departing Real Madrid in 2021. During his two spells at the Bernabéu, he secured three consecutive Champions League titles (2016–2018), two La Liga crowns, two UEFA Super Cups, and two FIFA Club World Cups.
Homecoming for a national icon
The move also signifies an emotional homecoming for the 1998 Ballon d’Or winner, who remains one of the greatest players in French football history. Zidane famously inspired Les Bleus to their first World Cup triumph on home soil in 1998, scoring twice in the final against Brazil. He later added the Euro 2000 title and captained the side to the 2006 World Cup final in Berlin.
While Zidane has long been viewed as the natural heir to Deschamps, the FFF has yet to make the appointment official. Nonetheless, all indications point to the end of a protracted wait for both the federation and the legendary playmaker.
