After much anticipation, the long-rumored shuffle in international soccer has come to fruition: Zinedine Zidane has been appointed as the new head coach of the France men’s national team.
The 54-year-old ex-Ballon d’Or recipient is a national hero, having won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the 2000 UEFA European Championship as a player. His coaching credentials are equally impressive, marked by multiple UEFA Champions League and LaLiga titles with Real Madrid.
Now, succeeding Didier Deschamps, who stepped down after leading Les Bleus for a decade, Zidane has a chance to add coach to his illustrious resume. Following France’s underwhelming fourth-place finish at the 2026 World Cup, the focus shifts to preparation for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches in September and the Euro 2028 qualifying campaign next year.
– Zidane’s New Challenge: The Club Game Remains Paramount
– Transitioning from Deschamps to Zidane: What Could Have Been?
– Post-World Cup Summary: Grades for Every Eliminated Team
Despite his illustrious background, Zidane has remained absent from coaching since ending his second term at Real Madrid five years ago, choosing instead to stay out of the spotlight. Even during his celebrated career, he has maintained an air of mystery, revealing little about his thoughts and plans.
What approaches will Zidane take with the French national team? What changes can we expect? And where has he been during this hiatus? ESPN’s Alex Kirkland and Julien Laurens are here to provide insights.
A Look Back: Zidane’s Achievements at Real Madrid
What did he accomplish? How about an unparalleled three consecutive Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018? He also secured two LaLiga championships, ending a five-year title drought in 2017 before clinching another in 2020. Each time he took the reins at the Bernabéu, Zidane faced challenging situations but delivered immediate, positive results.
Zidane first became Real Madrid’s coach in January 2016, stepping up from the reserves to rectify a disastrous start under Rafa Benítez. A 12-match winning streak propelled Madrid to a second-place finish, just one point behind Barcelona, while in Europe, they triumphed over Atlético Madrid on penalties in the Champions League final.
The subsequent season was even more impressive. If Madrid hadn’t been the top team in Europe a year prior, they undoubtedly were in 2016-17, defeating Bayern Munich and Atlético again to crush Juventus 4-1 in the Cardiff final. They also secured LaLiga, marking only the third time in history this double was achieved.
Incredibly, Zidane surpassed previous achievements by winning a third consecutive European title in 2018, defeating Liverpool 3-1 in the final. Shortly after this triumph, he stepped down but returned nine months later when neither Julen Lopetegui nor Santiago Solari could replicate his success. Although Zidane’s second spell wasn’t quite as dazzling, Madrid still captured the LaLiga title in the 2019-20 season, navigating a three-month suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The following year saw Madrid finish second in LaLiga and exit the Champions League semifinals without silverware.
Ultimately, it came as a surprise when Zidane chose to resign again in May 2021, despite having a year remaining on his contract. In an open letter to fans, he explained his departure stemmed not from fatigue but dissatisfaction with the lack of internal support and criticized media leaks regarding his job security. — Kirkland
Zidane’s Adaptation to the France National Team
This is the burning question in France right now. After the recent semifinal defeat against Spain at the FIFA World Cup, expectations for Zidane have surged, and fans are eager to know what his vision for Les Bleus will be.
His strong man-management style from his time at Real Madrid is expected to work wonders in the international format, presenting him the opportunity to inspire confidence in his players. Star athletes like Kylian Mbappé and Michael Olise grew up idolizing him, generating immense excitement within the squad as they look forward to collaborating with the 1998 World Cup champion.
The international soccer pace suits a pragmatic coach like Zidane, who has demonstrated innovative tactics at Real Madrid, including the effective deployment of Isco in the No. 10 role and creative use of Karim Benzema in diverse attacking positions. Rather than enforcing rigid play patterns, his focus will be on maximizing the talents of the team’s superstars in their most effective positions.
Zidane has previously said, “[Luka] Modric doesn’t require my guidance on how to pass the ball. He knows how. My role is to ensure he is in an environment conducive for him to perform at his best.”
This principle perfectly captures the essence of international soccer. — Laurens
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Leboeuf: France had nothing defensively
Key Changes Needed for Success
While Deschamps and Zidane share mutual respect, they are far from friends. Their relationship was never close during their playing days, and it has only cooled since. Deschamps was aware that Zidane was waiting for the opportunity to take over. The announcement regarding Deschamps’ departure came in January of last year, coinciding with reports of a verbal agreement for Zidane to succeed him.
Fortunately for Zidane, he inherits a team in strong shape. With talents like William Saliba, Ousmane Dembélé, Olise, and Mbappé, the squad boasts some of the top players globally. While he may introduce fresh talents, the core group is poised to stay intact.
With seasoned players like N’Golo Kanté and Lucas Hernández likely nearing retirement from international play, Zidane will incorporate younger players while leveraging the existing talents.
From a tactical standpoint, Zidane favored a three-man midfield at Real Madrid. While he might transition away from Deschamps’ 4-2-3-1 formation to his preferred 4-3-3, this shift would necessitate adjustments in player positioning, particularly for Olise.
One substantial change will be in the coaching staff structure. Sources indicate that Zidane will appoint his long-time friend and assistant, David Bettoni, as his second-in-command, alongside Hamidou Msaidie and Gregory Dupont—who previously worked alongside him at Madrid—as his additional assistant and fitness coach, respectively.
Goalkeeping coach Fabien Barthez and former France teammate Bernard Diomède, currently the U19 coach, are also set to join his staff. All medical and support personnel, installed around head of department Dr. Hervé Collado, will be new, further enhancing the team’s performance infrastructure.
Compared to his predecessor, Zidane will bring a larger, more elite coaching staff, which is sure to distinguish his management style and instill a sense of elevated expectation among the players. — Laurens
Zidane’s Time Away: What Has He Been Up To?
Judging by his social media presence—which showcases scenic vacations, family gatherings, and his adorable pet, it seems he has enjoyed life outside coaching. Zidane has never felt the necessity to return to coaching for financial, professional, or personal reasons.
He leads a fulfilling life with his wife and four sons, all of whom have embarked on professional soccer careers to varying degrees. Enzo, 31, retired in 2024, while Luca, 28, currently plays for Granada and represented Algeria at the World Cup; Theo, 24, plays for Córdoba, while the youngest, Elyaz, 20, recently moved from Real Betis to Red Star FC. Zidane has closely monitored and supported their careers, often seen in the stands at games.
He adopted a low profile with Real Madrid, consciously avoiding distractions for his successors. Though he has attended a few matches at the Bernabéu, including a Champions League encounter against Manchester City, he has sidestepped questions from reporters.
In addition, Zidane has developed a passion for padel, a sport that is booming in Spain and Argentina. His company, Z5, launched its first padel club in 2021 and now operates three facilities: in Aix-en-Provence and Istres, France, and near Turin, Italy. Reports indicate he is interested in expanding further, possibly with a venue in Madrid.
Although his impressive resume occasionally triggered speculation about a return to high-profile coaching roles, such opportunities often seemed far-fetched. This is particularly true for positions in the Premier League, where his limited English proficiency would be a barrier. Ultimately, he appears to be most likely to engage in a role that genuinely excites him: a third stint with Madrid or this, the France coaching position. — Kirkland