Zinedine Zidane fulfils 'dream' as he takes charge of France
Zinedine Zidane will take charge of France on a four-year contract from 1 August, ending Didier Deschamps' 14-year reign as head coach. “I’m excited,” Zidane said. “The France team makes you dream. We have...
Zinedine Zidane will take charge of France on a four-year contract from 1 August, ending Didier Deschamps' 14-year reign as head coach.
“I’m excited,” Zidane said. “The France team makes you dream. We have extraordinary players, an extraordinary team.”
More than 20 years after leaving Les Bleus as a player, Zinedine Zidane is taking over from Didier Deschamps.
The decision was made official on Tuesday by Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation (FFF), who opened the press conference by thanking "DD" for taking the France team "to the very top."
"Zinedine is a legend of French football and for many years he has made it known that one of his dreams was to coach the France team," the head of the FFF said.
Philippe Diallo also revealed the details of the new coach's contract: Zidane will lead Les Bleus for four years, covering the Nations League qualifiers, Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup.
"DD is DD, Zizou is Zizou"
Zinedine Zidane began his first address as France head coach with a message of support for those affected by the wildfires in southwestern France, as well as for the firefighters and farmers on the front line.
"That's my first thought," he said.
He also revealed that he had received several offers to manage clubs in recent years but had turned them all down "for the France team."
"For me, it's an immense joy. I don't have any other words," he said.
As for his approach, the 1998 World Cup hero set out a clear objective on Tuesday: "for the France team to keep on winning."
"DD is DD, Blanc was Blanc, Zizou is Zizou. I'm going to do what I know how to do," he told reporters.
The new head coach will officially take up his duties on 1 August. His coaching staff will be unveiled in September, although he indicated it would be "practically" the same as the one that worked with him at Real Madrid.
"I'm pretty loyal on that front," he said.
"We haven't spoken with Kylian"
As for the players, Zidane will announce his first France squad in September. For now, he said he has not spoken to any of them, including captain Kylian Mbappé.
"The most important thing for him is to rest. We'll have the chance to talk about all that soon, in September," he said, without confirming whether the forward will remain captain.
While he said he would explain his "Zinedine Zidane method" at a later stage, the new head coach has already identified Les Bleus' greatest strength: their squad.
"I know we have what it takes. We have extraordinary players. Now I need to see them and explain what I'm going to do," he said.
"Racism has to be fought"
Asked about racist abuse directed at France players after recent matches, Zinedine Zidane called for people to "fight racism."
"We might not change things. We live in a wonderful country with this diversity. I grew up in a neighbourhood where there was room for everyone. That's my life," he said. "Engaging with everyone. That's what we're trying to do."
The new head coach also had a message for supporters in his hometown of Marseille.
"They've always been there, and whenever I return to the region, I feel the passion. I want to keep making them dream."
Didier Deschamps steps down after France's disappointing World Cup exit but leaves behind a remarkable legacy. During his 14 years in charge of Les Bleus, he won the 2018 World Cup, reached the 2022 World Cup final and the 2026 semi-finals, and led France to the Euro 2016 final.
France will play four matches in September, including Zidane's first game in charge away to Turkey on 25 September.
