Zinedine Zidane has been officially appointed as the new head coach of the France national team, ending months of speculation over who would succeed Didier Deschamps.

Deschamps, the longest-serving manager in the history of the France national team, brought his 14-year tenure to a close following France's semi-final elimination at the hands of Spain at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Zidane returns to football management after a four-year absence. The 1998 FIFA World Cup winner with France last held a coaching role at Real Madrid, which he left for the second time in 2021.

The appointment unites one of the greatest players in French football history with the national team at a moment of transition, as France look to rebuild following their World Cup disappointment.