Online Reporter
ZINEDINE ZIDANE has finally been appointed as the new France boss after replacing Didier Deschamps.
The former Real Madrid boss returns to football following five years out of the game and will look to rebuild the team after their World Cup semi-final exit.
He takes over from his former France team-mate Deschamps, who spent 14 years with Les Bleus and led them to World Cup glory in 2018.
Zidane joining France was one of the worst kept secrets in football but the French Federation have now confirmed his arrival.
A statement on the official Equipe de France account on X wrote: “ZINEDINE ZIDANE, NEW [MANAGER] OF THE FRENCH NATIONAL TEAM.”
The 54-year-old – who hasn’t coached since leaving Madrid in 2021 – was unveiled at a special press conference on Tuesday morning.
He said it was a “great source of pride” to take the job of his national team.
Zidane added: “I’ve often said it: there’s nothing greater than the French national team.
“So, it’s a joy and obviously a great source of pride to become the manager of this French national team.
“It’s also a responsibility. I want to thank [French Football Federation] president Philippe Diallo, the executive committee, and the French Football Federation for their confidence and acknowledge the 14 years of service from Didier and his staff.
“I also have a special thought today for all my coaches. Needless to say, I have high ambitions for the French national team.”
He also revealed he turned down many job offers during his five-year hiatus because he was holding out for the France gig.
He added: “I am truly happy. I am ready for the challenge, it motivates me. The only thing I wanted to do after my experience at Real Madrid.
“I have known it since I was a child, I started in the youth teams, I went through every stage until reaching the senior national team, the pinnacle.
“The only thing that motivates me is being able to work for this team and see them continue to win.
“Leading France is the only thing I wanted to do after my experience at Real Madrid. I turned down offers to be the France head coach.”
French football president Philippe Diallo added: “This is an exceptional moment. It has been 14 years since the federation was in a position to appoint a new head coach.
“I would like to say a word for Deschamps: for 14 years he took the France national team to the top.
He restored the image of Les Bleus on the pitch. It is important that his work is recognised.”
Zidane – who will start preparing for Euro 2028 in the UK and Ireland – is seen as one of the world’s best managers despite his lengthy absence from top level football.
He won THREE Champions League titles in a row during his time with Los Blancos, as well as two La Liga crowns, two UEFA Super Cups and two Club World Cup trophies.
And he wasn’t a bad player either after winning the World Cup with France in 1998 – and was awarded the Ballon d’Or in the same year.
He also won the Champions League with Madrid in 2003, but his career ended in turmoil after infamously headbutting Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final -Sun.
