France finally returned to one of their greatest icons, teaching: Zinedine Zidane as the new head coach after Didier Deschamps resigned after 2026 FIFA World Cup. The French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed the appointment on Tuesday, giving the former Real Madrid manager a four-year contract. FFF president Philippe Diallo announced Zidane’s arrival at the federation’s headquarters in Paris, describing the appointment as a landmark moment for French football. “It was an amazing moment, amazing because of the person sitting next to me,” Diallo said. “Zidane is one of the legends of French football.” For Zidane, the appointment marks the fulfillment of a dream he has been waiting for a long time to come true. The 54-year-old, who has not coached since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, admitted that he deliberately stayed away from club football in anticipation of an opportunity. “I’m excited,” said Zidane, clenching his fists. “The France team makes you dream. We have amazing players, an amazing team.” “I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for five years, so I’m a little emotional,” he added, calling it the happiest day of his coaching career. The former France captain admitted that leading the national side was always his ultimate ambition after leaving Madrid. “I’ve always looked at this side as a fan and also as a future coach, I won’t hide it,” Zidane said. “That’s why I didn’t side with a club side. I told myself that the only thing I wanted to do was after Madrid got the team in France.” He disclosed that many offers came during his time away from management, but none tempted him away from his goal. “For me it’s a continuation, a dream,” Zidane said. “I had several offers during the five years I was away to manage a club but I turned them all down for the French team. This is all I want to do.” Describing the role as “a great pleasure”, Zidane said he was keen to accept the challenge. “I have a lot of emotions, I’m ready for the challenge,” he said. “That’s what motivates me.” The legendary Frenchman also paid tribute to his predecessor, Didier Deschamps, who guided France to the 2018 FIFA World Cup title before leaving after Les Bleus’ semifinal loss to Spain at the 2026 World Cup. “Now I have the chance to manage this team and I will give everything for this team to win,” Zidane said. “I also want to congratulate DD (Deschamps) for these wonderful years.” Diallo revealed that talks with Zidane began in February 2025 after Deschamps informed the federation that he wanted to leave after the 2026 World Cup. While respecting Deschamps’ achievements, Zidane explained that his France team has a different identity. “What motivates me is the game, I’m a No. 10, I like goals,” Zidane said. “I was a leader in the field and now I want to be a leader through experience.” Zidane’s first game in charge comes in Turkey in the UEFA Nations League on September 25, before another away game against Belgium three days later. French supporters will get their first chance to see him on the touchline at the Stade de France on October 2 when France host Italy, exactly 20 years after Zidane’s infamous red card in the 2006 FIFA World Cup final for headbutting Italy defender Marco Materazzi. “I noticed all four games coming up, they were in my head,” Zidane said. “Italy is special, because I played there, because I know the people, because I speak Italian. All those things.”