Zidane Waited for France — Now Can He Harness Their Star Power?

Zinedine Zidane has been appointed head coach of France, ending Didier Deschamps' 14-year tenure and putting a new face on the national team's touchline for the first time since 2012, the BBC reported.

The appointment had been an open secret. Talks between the former Real Madrid manager and French football authorities began as early as February 2025, weeks after Deschamps announced he would step down following the 2026 World Cup.

'The only thing I wanted'

At his unveiling in Paris, Zidane emphasised how long he had waited for the role.

"I had several offers in the last four or five years, but I turned them all down," he said, visibly emotional. "The national team is the only thing I wanted."

That willingness to stay out of work rather than take another club job is unusual for a manager of his standing, and it framed the tone of the announcement.

Few clues on how he will play

Beyond his enthusiasm, Zidane gave little away about his intentions. Asked about his preferred style, he declined to go into tactical detail.

"I can't explain to you in just a couple of words how we're going to win," he said. "I have to arrive, meet with the players, and explain my plans to them. After that, it'll be up to me to keep this team winning."

He did confirm an intention "to do things differently" from his predecessor, without specifying how.

The Mbappe question

A question about Kylian Mbappe's captaincy was also deflected. "The most important thing for him now is to rest, we'll have the chance to speak in September," Zidane said.

That answer points to the central task ahead. Zidane inherits a squad with considerable individual quality, and his record at Real Madrid — where he managed a dressing room full of established stars — is the main reason the federation pursued him.

His first competitive test comes in September, when the shape of his France side will start to become clear.

Reporting basis: BBC Sport.