Zidane announced as new France manager

-

A new era starts for the French national side

Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has been confirmed as the new head coach of France.

Author | Jack L

Didier Deschamps, France’s longest-serving manager, brought his 14-year spell in charge to an end following the country’s semi-final defeat by Spain at the 2026 World Cup.

Zidane, who helped France win the World Cup as a player in 1998, has been out of management since leaving Real Madrid for a second time in 2021.

The 54-year-old, widely regarded as one of France’s greatest-ever players, will sign a contract taking him through the 2030 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Zidane said his appointment was “a great source of pride” as he prepares to take charge of a France side that finished fourth at the World Cup.

France v Senegal at 2026 FIFA World Cup
France at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

A closer look at Zidane's managerial career so far

After retiring from playing following the 2006 World Cup, Zidane did not move into management until 2014, when he took charge of Real Madrid Castilla, the club’s reserve side.

He was promoted to first-team manager in January 2016 and, by the end of that season, had guided Madrid to Champions League glory, beating city rivals Atlético Madrid on penalties in the final.

That was the first of three consecutive Champions League triumphs for Madrid, making them the first club to win the competition in successive seasons during the Champions League era, and the first to claim three European titles in a row since Bayern Munich in 1976.

Watch | How Zidane made Real Madrid the best team in the world again

Zidane also led Madrid to the La Liga title in 2016-17, but left the club after the following season, saying a change was needed at the Bernabéu.

He returned to Madrid in March 2019, with the club struggling for form, and went on to win another La Liga  title in 2019-20.

Popular posts from this blog

Germany want Jurgen Klopp as next manager

-
Image
All change for Germany following World Cup exit The German football association is seeking talks with Jurgen Klopp about becoming the men's national team coach after Julian Nagelsmann resigned. Author | Ed Nagelsmann requested to be relieved of his duties on Thursday following the team's early exit from the World Cup. The German FA (DFB) has now accepted that request and immediately terminated its contractual relationship with the 38-year-old former Bayern Munich manager. Germany's World Cup campaign came to an end on Monday when the four-time champions were beaten on penalties by Paraguay in the last 32. The defeat sparked widespread debate in the German media over the changes needed to restore the national side's ability to compete at the highest level once again. Initially Nagelsmann, who was appointed in 2023, was determined to remain in charge, saying after the game: "I'm not someone who runs away." Some immediate reaction to Germany's exit earlie...
Read more

Germany and their football nightmare

-
Image
A shock exit at the World Cup There was a time when Germany were expected to win major football tournaments. Author | Ed Including their years as West Germany, they have lifted the World Cup four times, finished runners-up on another four occasions and won three of the six European Championship finals they have contested. Those days, however, now feel a long way off. The front page of Tuesday's Bild newspaper captured the mood with the headline: "The next German football nightmare", after Germany's World Cup campaign came to a sudden end in the last 32 with a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat by Paraguay following a 1-1 draw after extra time. Watch | A former German footballer responds to their defeat and exit Since winning the World Cup in 2014, Germany have twice failed to progress beyond the group stage and have now been eliminated in the first knockout match they have played at the 2026 tournament. Paraguay began the competition 41st in the FIFA world rankings, compared...
Read more

England to make late call on Declan Rice before they face Argentina

-
Image
Potentially important news for England... They will make a late decision on Declan Rice's fitness ahead of Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against Argentina. Author | George B There is growing confidence the Arsenal midfielder will recover in time to start after battling illness in recent days. Rice was affected by a sickness bug in the build-up to Saturday's quarter-final victory over Norway in Miami and was substituted at half-time. Declan Rice playing against Arsenal team-mate Head coach Thomas Tuchel revealed afterwards that Rice had spent three days confined to bed before the match, which England eventually won 2-1 after extra time. Rice is understood to have not yet fully recovered from the illness, which he picked up during England's last-16 victory over co-hosts Mexico, but his condition has improved significantly over the past 48 hours. The midfielder is expected to make himself available given the magnitude of the occasion, although England's medical staf...
Read more