Zinedine Zidane New Coach for France National Team: The Return of a Legend

Zinedine Zidane New Coach for France National Team

🚨💣 Breaking News: According to multiple French outlets including L’Équipe, Zinedine Zidane is set to become the new coach for France national team after the 2026 World Cup. 🇫🇷

The French Football Federation (FFF) has reportedly begun formal discussions with Zidane to take over from Didier Deschamps, marking what could be one of the most symbolic managerial appointments in football history.

For millions of fans, this is more than a coaching change — it’s the long-awaited homecoming of a national hero.

Zinedine Zidane New Coach for France National Team

A Dream That Never Faded

For years, the idea of Zinedine Zidane as the new coach for France national team has been one of football’s most discussed topics. Since retiring as a player in 2006, Zidane has carried the aura of a future French manager — a destiny written in the stars.

From his genius on the field to his calm authority as a coach, Zidane embodies everything France represents: discipline, creativity, and excellence. Now, that dream seems closer than ever.

Zinedine Zidane’s Connection with Les Bleus

Zinedine Zidane’s name is synonymous with the greatest moments in French football history.

Born in Marseille to Algerian parents, Zidane rose from the streets of La Castellane to become a world champion and a global icon. He led France to:

🏆 1998 FIFA World Cup victory, scoring twice in the final against Brazil.
🥇 UEFA Euro 2000 triumph, where he was named Player of the Tournament.

As a player, Zidane represented unity in diversity — the perfect reflection of modern France. His elegance, humility, and leadership made him beloved by fans of every generation.

Now, two decades later, he’s ready to bring that same inspiration from the sidelines.

The End of an Era: Deschamps to Step Down After 2026

Didier Deschamps has been in charge of the France national team since 2012 — an incredible 14-year tenure that includes:

2018 World Cup Champion 🏆
2022 World Cup Finalist 🥈
Euro 2016 Finalist ⚽

Under Deschamps, France became a powerhouse built on organization, teamwork, and defensive solidity. But as the 2026 World Cup in North America approaches, both Deschamps and the FFF recognize that a new chapter is coming.

Zinedine Zidane is widely seen as the natural successor — a man capable of evolving France’s playing style while preserving its winning mentality.

Zidane’s Coaching Career: Excellence Redefined

After hanging up his boots, Zidane didn’t rush into coaching. He took time to study, learn, and develop his own philosophy. When he finally stepped into management, he did so with remarkable success.

Real Madrid Castilla (2014–2016)

Zidane began with Real Madrid’s B team, focusing on developing young players and mastering tactical systems. It was a period of patience and preparation.

Real Madrid (2016–2021): The Golden Era

Zinedine Zidane New Coach for France National Team

In January 2016, Zidane became head coach of Real Madrid — and history was made.

Under his leadership, Los Blancos won:

🏆 3 consecutive UEFA Champions League titles (2016, 2017, 2018)
🏆 2 La Liga titles (2017, 2020)
🏆 2 FIFA Club World Cups
🏆 2 UEFA Super Cups

No manager in modern football has replicated that European success. Zidane’s calm demeanor, tactical balance, and motivational power earned him respect across the football world.

Why Zinedine Zidane Is the Perfect Choice

1. Leadership and Respect

Zidane commands instant respect — not through fear, but through presence. Players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, and Luka Modrić often described him as a “leader who inspires confidence.”

For the France national team, filled with global stars such as Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann, and Eduardo Camavinga, that quality is invaluable.

2. Tactical Intelligence

Zidane is a master of adaptability. He doesn’t believe in one rigid system but adjusts tactics to suit his players’ strengths. Expect France to evolve into a more possession-based, attacking team under his watch — one that values creativity and freedom.

3. Deep Understanding of French Talent

Having coached or scouted many French players during his time in Spain, Zidane already knows the next generation. His familiarity with Tchouaméni, Camavinga, and Ferland Mendy at Real Madrid makes him uniquely prepared to guide this young core.

Inside the FFF’s Plan

According to reports from L’Équipe, the French Football Federation has begun formal talks with Zidane’s representatives. The plan is clear:

He would take over after the 2026 World Cup.
The project would run until 2030, covering one full World Cup and one Euro cycle.
Zidane would be given freedom to choose his staff and reshape the team’s tactical approach.

The FFF wants a smooth transition — Deschamps will complete his tenure with full respect, while Zidane will prepare his structure quietly in the background.

Mbappé and Zidane: A Dream Partnership

One of the most exciting prospects for fans is the future partnership between Kylian Mbappé and Zinedine Zidane.

Mbappé has always spoken highly of Zidane, calling him “the ultimate role model” and “the reason I fell in love with football.”

Under Zidane’s leadership, Mbappé could evolve into the complete leader of the French team — much like Ronaldo did at Real Madrid. The thought of Zidane guiding Mbappé’s prime years is thrilling for French supporters and intimidating for rivals.

What to Expect From Zidane’s France

If appointed, Zidane will likely modernize the French national team in several key ways:

More Technical Football: Expect fluid, ball-dominant play focused on midfield control.
Younger Core: Players like Tchouaméni, Camavinga, and Saliba will take center stage.
Freedom for Attackers: Mbappé, Griezmann, and Coman will enjoy greater creative liberty.
Calm Leadership: Zidane’s emotional intelligence will keep the locker room united.

France will likely blend Deschamps’ structure with Zidane’s artistry — a perfect combination for long-term success.

Challenges Zidane Will Face

Becoming the new coach for France national team will also bring challenges:

Managing massive expectations after Deschamps’ success.
Keeping harmony in a squad full of stars.
Maintaining results while transforming the playing identity.

However, Zidane has proven time and again that pressure brings out his best. Whether as a player in 1998 or as a coach in 2018, he has always delivered when it mattered most.

Global Reactions: Excitement and Expectation

The football community has reacted with immense excitement to the idea of Zidane returning to the national stage. French legends, including Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira, have previously stated that Zidane was “born to coach France.”

Fans view it as poetic — the man who gave them their first World Cup glory will now lead the next generation toward the future.

International media have also highlighted the symbolism: Zidane’s return marks not just a managerial change, but a reconnection with France’s footballing soul.

Zidane’s Vision: More Than Just Football

Zidane’s leadership goes beyond tactics. He embodies values — humility, respect, and excellence — that resonate deeply with the French public.

He has often spoken about wanting to “represent France again in a way that unites people.” In a diverse nation where football plays a key cultural role, Zidane’s presence could inspire unity across generations.

Conclusion: The Beginning of a New Era

The appointment of Zinedine Zidane as the new coach for France national team would mark a defining moment for French football.

Deschamps leaves behind a legacy of consistency and trophies. Zidane will inherit that foundation and elevate it — blending youth, creativity, and tactical freedom.

As France looks toward the post-2026 era, one thing is certain: with Zinedine Zidane back on the touchline, the tricolor dream burns brighter than ever.