Rabat – French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo announced Zinedine Zidane’s appointment as France’s new head coach at the FFF headquarters in Paris on Tuesday, giving the former Real Madrid coach a 4-year contract.
“This is an exceptional moment, exceptional because of the person sitting next to me,” Diallo said. “Zinedine is one of the legends of French soccer, and for many years he said one of his dreams was to take charge of the France team.”
The 54-year-old hasn’t coached since leaving Real Madrid in 2021.
Zidane’s stellar coaching record
Zidane became the manager of Real Madrid Castilla, Real Madrid’s B team, in 2014, before taking over Real Madrid in early 2016. The team went on to win La Liga in 2017 and capture three consecutive Champions League titles. But Zidane surprisingly resigned days after the 2018 Champions League final.
His time away from coaching didn’t last long, as Real Madrid rehired him early in 2019 for another stint that lasted more than two years. Real Madrid won another La Liga title under Zidane, but he left the club in May of 2021.
The French midfielder has long expressed his passion and ambition to one day become the head coach of the French national team.
“I want to be head coach of France, of course. I will be, I hope, one day,” Zidane said in 2022.
Today, Zidane is living his longtime ambition and is expected to lead France into a new era, with hopes of restoring the national team to the summit of world football.
Speaking after his appointment, he described taking charge of France as a “great source of pride.”
Zidane added: “I’ve often said it: there’s nothing greater than the French national team.”
“So it’s a joy and obviously a great source of pride to become the manager of this French national team.”
“It’s also a responsibility; I want to thank [French Football Federation] president Philippe Diallo, the executive committee, and the French Football Federation for their confidence and acknowledge the 14 years of service from Didier and his staff.”
