In a monumental development that marks the dawn of a new era for French football, legendary icon Zinedine Zidane is officially set to become the next head coach of the France national team. According to renowned football insider Fabrizio Romano, the French Football Federation (FFF) has unequivocally decided on “Zizou” to lead Les Bleus into the future, following the departure of long-serving manager Didier Deschamps.
The transition comes directly on the heels of France’s heartbreaking 2-0 semifinal exit at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the hands of Spain. Deschamps, who achieved monumental success during his historic 14-year tenure—including the 2018 World Cup trophy—will officially step aside at the conclusion of the tournament. Romano reported that the decision to appoint Zidane has been firmly in place behind the scenes, and the official documents are scheduled to be signed before the end of July.
A Long-Awaited Destiny Realized
For Zidane, this marks a highly anticipated return to the dugout. The 54-year-old tactical mastermind has not taken a managerial position since leaving Real Madrid in 2021. Despite receiving numerous lucrative offers from elite European clubs and rival national teams over the past few years, Zidane reportedly rejected all proposals, holding out strictly for his dream job: leading his country.
Romano revealed that the contract will tie the 1998 World Cup hero to the national side through the 2030 FIFA World Cup, allowing him a full four-year cycle to rebuild and prepare the squad. Zidane has reportedly already finalized his backroom coaching staff ahead of the official announcement.
Navigating Administrative Hurdles
While fans are ecstatic about the return of the ultimate talisman, the FFF is currently working through minor structural issues behind the scenes. The French assembly recently introduced a revised annual salary cap of €450,000 for sports federation leaders, a figure substantially lower than the market value of a three-time Champions League-winning manager.
However, reports indicate that the federation is actively coordinating with the Ministry of Sports to secure the necessary legal bypass, ensuring Zidane receives a premium financial package befitting his stature. Inheriting a world-class roster built around Kylian Mbappé and a golden generation of talent, Zidane’s primary mandate will be simple: return Les Bleus to the absolute pinnacle of global football dominance.
