The French Football Federation (FFF) has appointed Zinedine Zidane as head coach of the France national football team, replacing Didier Deschamps after his 14-year tenure.
FFF President Philippe Diallo said on Tuesday that Zidane’s appointment was approved following consultations with the federation’s executive committee. He has signed a four-year contract that will take effect on Aug. 1.
The 54-year-old former France international will officially take charge in September, with his first matches coming in the UEFA Nations League.
France’s first match under Zidane is scheduled for Sept. 25 against Türkiye in the Nations League.
Speaking after his appointment, Zidane said he had declined all coaching offers over the past five years because his ambition was to manage the France national team.
“This is the only thing I wanted to do,” he said, describing the position as “a dream.”
Zidane succeeds Deschamps, who had led France since 2012, guiding the team to victory at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the 2022 World Cup final, the 2026 World Cup semi-finals, and the UEFA Euro 2016 final.
The former midfielder has not managed a club since leaving Real Madrid in 2021.