Zinedine Zidane, the newly appointed head coach of the French national side, disclosed that over the past five years he rejected a series of tempting job propositions, insisting that his sole ambition after leaving Real Madrid was to take charge of Les Bleus. The announcement was made during a press conference on Monday morning, following Didier Deschamps' decision to step down after a long and decorated tenure. Zidane, a World Cup‑winning midfielder turned manager, has been out of a full‑time coaching role since his second spell at Real Madrid ended. During that hiatus he was linked to several high‑profile positions around the globe, including a potential return to Manchester United, among other elite clubs.
Yet, according to Zidane, none of those opportunities were appealing enough to divert his focus from the French national team. "In the last four or five years I received offers to manage clubs, but I turned every single one down because I wanted the France job," Zidane told reporters in his inaugural briefing as France boss. "This is the only role I have wanted since leaving Real Madrid." He explained that his fascination with the national side began long before his coaching career, describing the team both as a fan’s passion and as a future professional goal.
"I always saw the France national team through the eyes of a supporter, but also as a manager I could one day lead," he said. "That is why I refused to sign with any club." Zidane added that he could have accepted several attractive projects that would have kept him busy for two or three years, but he deliberately kept his distance.
"When Deschamps announced in early 2025 that he would step down after the next World Cup, I immediately felt a surge of excitement and told myself I wanted to be his successor," he recalled. The path to the appointment began with a meeting with the French Football Federation president in February 2025, a conversation that ultimately led to his appointment.
"I met the president in February, and that meeting brought us to this moment," Zidane said. Zidane now inherits a French side that has enjoyed a remarkably successful era under Deschamps. In a twelve‑year stretch, France captured the 2018 World Cup, lifted the 2021 Nations League, and reached the finals of the European Championship in 2016 as well as the World Cup in 2022. Those achievements have set a high bar for any successor.
Nevertheless, Zidane reminded the federation that he also brings a winning pedigree from his time at Real Madrid, where he secured two La Liga titles and guided the club to three consecutive Champions League triumphs between 2016 and 2018. French FA president Philippe Diallo echoed this sentiment, noting the magnitude of the responsibility that now rests on Zidane’s shoulders.
"I told him it is a great honour and a huge responsibility, given the spectacular results of recent years," Diallo said. "We needed someone who could inspire confidence and continue the trajectory we have built for the future.
When I met Zinedine in February, he said, 'Mr President, I know how to win.' That conviction convinced me he has the desire and the belief to lead the team." Reflecting on Deschamps' legacy, Zidane praised the style and spirit that defined his predecessor’s tenure. "The team's performance and playing style were magnificent. I was there in person, I enjoyed it as a fan, and I have no complaints about how things were handled," he remarked.
"We will do things differently, but we will also respect what has worked. Didier Deschamps is Didier Deschamps, Laurent Blanc is Laurent Blanc, and Zizou is Zizou. I will try to apply what I know best." He emphasized continuity rather than a radical break, insisting that the French squad must retain its winning mentality.
"It is not a clean break; I want to preserve continuity so the team continues to succeed," Zidane asserted. Addressing concerns about his lack of experience as a national‑team manager, Zidane expressed confidence in his ability to adapt. "There is no worry," he said. "Managing a country is a completely different job from club coaching, but it does not frighten me." He also highlighted the balance between his personal life and the demands of the role, noting that the position fits his current circumstances.
"It suits me perfectly. It is a different kind of job, and I have no issues with that," he explained. During his five‑year hiatus, Zidane claims he stayed closely connected to the game.
"I did not sit around twiddling my thumbs. I watched more matches than when I was coaching Real Madrid. I followed the French national team closely and saw a huge amount of potential," he said.
Looking ahead, Zidane is eager to harness that potential and guide France through upcoming qualifiers, the Euro 2028 tournament, and ultimately the 2030 World Cup. He plans to blend his tactical acumen, honed in Spain’s top flight and Europe’s elite competition, with the traditional French flair for attacking football. By integrating young talents emerging from Ligue 1 academies and seasoned veterans, Zidane hopes to craft a squad capable of both dazzling play and disciplined results.
In summary, Zidane’s appointment marks a new chapter for Les Bleus, one built on a foundation of past glory, a personal commitment to the national cause, and a belief that his proven record of winning can translate to the international arena. The football world will now watch closely as Zizou embarks on his first national‑team managerial role, aiming to keep France at the summit of world football.