For the first time in 14 years, the French national team will see a change in leadership this September. Zinedine Zidane has officially been appointed to succeed Didier Deschamps, an outcome that had been expected since negotiations began in February 2025.
During his press conference in Paris, the 54-year-old expressed his deep commitment to the position, noting he turned down several other opportunities to wait for this role. While Zidane declined to disclose specific tactical shifts, he emphasized his goal of maintaining a winning culture while promising to bring his own unique approach to the squad.
Zidane acknowledged that managing a national team is a different challenge compared to his time at Real Madrid. However, he remains confident in his ability to lead. The former star inherits a team in strong form, with a deep pool of attacking talent including Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, and Ousmane Dembele.
The reaction from both players and supporters has been overwhelmingly positive. With his four-year contract set to begin next month, Zidane’s first test will arrive during the upcoming Nations League fixtures, culminating in a highly anticipated home match against Italy at the Stade de France.
