Zinedine Zidane was formally presented as the new head coach of the France national team on Tuesday at the French Football Federation’s headquarters in Paris, signing a four-year contract that runs until 2030. The appointment, long anticipated in French football circles, ends a five-year hiatus from management for the 54-year-old, who had been without a job since leaving Real Madrid in 2021. He succeeds Didier Deschamps, his former teammate from the 1998 World Cup-winning side, whose 14-year tenure concluded after France finished fourth at the 2026 World Cup, losing to Spain in the semi-finals and then 6-4 to England in the third-place match.

Zidane’s playing career made him a national icon: he scored twice in the 1998 World Cup final against Brazil and added a European Championship title in 2000. As a coach, he led Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League triumphs from 2016 to 2018, a feat unmatched in the modern era, along with two La Liga titles. Since leaving the Spanish club, he had repeatedly stated his desire to coach the national team, and on Tuesday he confirmed that he had turned down multiple club offers. “The France job was the only one I wanted,” he said, describing the role as “a dream.”

The announcement drew extensive coverage across Europe and beyond. French outlets noted the meticulous planning behind the event, with the federation keeping the details secret for months. Italian commentators contrasted the smooth transition with the Italian federation’s ongoing struggle to appoint a successor to their own national coach. German newspapers highlighted the almost mythical status Zidane enjoys, with one describing him as an “alchemist” whose touch turns to gold, while also cautioning that the five-year gap since his last coaching role and the evolution of the game pose challenges. Arabic-language media emphasised the long wait and the symbolic return of a legend to the national setup.

Zidane will officially begin his role on 1 August, with his first squad gathering in September. His competitive debut comes on 25 September in a Nations League away fixture against Turkey in Kocaeli, followed by a trip to Belgium three days later. France then host Italy on 2 October and Belgium again on 5 October at the Stade de France, before a return match against Italy in Milan in November and a home game against Turkey in Bordeaux. The immediate target is the 2028 European Championship, with World Cup 2030 qualifying to follow.