France hires former soccer great Zinedine Zidane as men’s national team coach

Zinedine Zidane has been appointed the new coach of the France men's national soccer team, replacing Didier Deschamps. The French Football Federation announced the four-year contract at its headquarters in Paris on Tuesday. Zidane expressed his excitement and called it the happiest day of his coaching career, stating he had waited five years for this opportunity and had turned down club offers to pursue it. He previously coached Real Madrid before leaving in 2021. Zidane, a legendary former player for France, indicated that the team's playing style might differ from Deschamps' tenure. His first matches as coach will be in September.

Zinedine Zidane has been appointed as the new head coach of the French national football team, the French Football Federation announced on X. This appointment follows the conclusion of Didier Deschamps' 14-year tenure, which ended after France's semifinal exit from the World Cup. Zidane, a former France superstar player and Real Madrid manager, will begin his role with a UEFA Nations League match against Turkiye. He and Deschamps were teammates on the 1998 World Cup-winning French squad. Deschamps' successful period included a World Cup title in 2018 and a Nations League trophy.