Zidane: I rejected all offers to coach France

Paris, AFP - The French Football Federation appointed Zinedine Zidane as the new head coach of the French national team on Tuesday, until 2030, succeeding Didier Deschamps.

Following his official appointment, one of the most iconic figures in French football, who boasts a storied history with the “Les Bleus,” stated from the federation’s headquarters that “coaching the French national team is the only thing I ever wanted to do.”

The former playmaker (54) added: “It’s a kind of continuity, and a dream in a way.” Zidane continued: “I received offers over the past four or five years to manage clubs, but I rejected them all for the French national team.”

Zidane went on: “I lived in Spain for 25 years, and you know what that means. I was a leader on the pitch. Now I have become a leader through my experience.” He added: “Winning the World Cup in 1998 is the best thing that has ever happened to me, winning with my teammates. I spent those past four or five years waiting for this day. I am moved; you may not see it, but I am extremely excited. I am happy.”

“Zizou” will take on the task of succeeding his former teammate Deschamps, who has led the national team since 2012. His tenure ended with a fourth-place finish at the 2026 World Cup, following the title win in 2018 and reaching the final in 2022.

For his part, French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo said: “Zinedine Zidane will be the coach of the French national team for the next four years.”

Zidane (108 international caps) has only managed Real Madrid, the club where he ended his playing career, and he managed them in two stints (2016-2018 and 2019-2021).

The first gathering of the French national team under Zidane will take place next September, ahead of the UEFA Nations League, with the first match scheduled in Turkey on the 25th.