Zinédine Zidane has been officially introduced as the new head coach of the French national team. The announcement was made by French FA president Philippe Diallo during a press conference held at the organization’s headquarters in Paris. Zidane, who has signed a four-year contract to lead Les Bleus, succeeds Didier Deschamps in the role.
The appointment follows a formal process initiated by Diallo in February 2025, occurring shortly after Deschamps confirmed his intention to step down as manager following the 2026 World Cup. During his introductory appearance, Zidane opened his remarks by expressing support for the firefighters currently battling large forest fires in southwestern France, while also offering a congratulatory message to his predecessor, Deschamps.
Reflecting on his return to the dugout after a five-year break from coaching, Zidane revealed that he had rejected numerous managerial offers during his time away. He explained that his patience was driven by a singular focus on the French national team post. "I turned them all down for the French national team, because it’s the only thing I wanted to do after my experience at Real Madrid," Zidane stated. He added that his primary motivation is to contribute to the team and ensure its continued success, describing the day of his appointment as the best moment of his coaching career thus far.
In other football news, the Premier League has issued a statement explaining why Tottenham were not awarded a penalty for a challenge on James Maddison during their recent match against Leeds. The Spurs midfielder was denied a big moment on his return from injury, with the league clarifying the officiating decision.
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