Zinedine Zidane, the newly appointed head coach of the French national side, has opened up about his decision‑making over the past five years, explaining that he turned down every club proposition that came his way because his sole ambition was to lead Les Bleus. In a press conference held on Monday morning, Zidane confirmed his appointment following Didier Deschamps' resignation and detailed the personal and professional calculations that led him to this moment. Since stepping down from his second spell as Real Madrid manager, Zidane has been out of a full‑time coaching role for roughly half a decade.
During that hiatus he was linked to a string of high‑profile vacancies across Europe, most notably the managerial vacancy at Manchester United, as well as several top‑flight clubs in Spain, Italy and England. Yet, according to Zidane, none of those opportunities were seriously considered because his heart was set on the French national team. "In the last four or five years I received offers to take charge of clubs, and I rejected each one," Zidane said during his inaugural briefing as France boss.
"The only position I wanted after my Real Madrid spell was the France job. I have always viewed the national team not just as a fan, but as a future employer.
That is why I stayed away from club offers." He continued, "I told myself that the only thing I wanted to do after leaving Real was to coach the French side. I could have taken on great projects for two or three years, but when Deschamps announced his intention to step down after the 2025 World Cup, I felt a surge of excitement and immediately declared my intention to succeed him." Zidane recounted his meeting with the French Football Federation president, Philippe Diallo, in February 2025, which paved the way for his appointment. "I met the president in February, and that conversation led us here today," he said.
The French FA president echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the weight of the role and the confidence he sees in Zidane. "I told him it is a huge honour and a great responsibility because the past few years have been spectacular for French football," Diallo remarked. "We needed someone who could inspire confidence and guide us forward.
When Zinedine said, 'Mr President, I know how to win,' I knew he possessed both the desire and the belief to take the reins." Zidane's track record as a manager is undeniably impressive. While at Real Madrid, he captured two La Liga crowns and guided the club to an unprecedented three‑in‑a‑row UEFA Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018.
Those achievements, combined with his experience as a World Cup‑winning midfielder, give him a unique blend of tactical knowledge and winning mentality that the French federation hopes will translate to the international stage. Reflecting on Deschamps' legacy, Zidane praised the previous coach's style and results. "The team's performance and playing style under Didier were magnificent. I was there, I enjoyed the matches, and I have no complaints about how things were handled," he said.
"But now we will do things differently. Didier is Didier, Laurent Blanc is Laurent, and I am Zizou. I will try to apply what I know best." He stressed that his approach will not be a radical break from the past but rather a continuation of the winning culture. "It is not a clean break.
I want to maintain continuity so that the French team keeps winning," Zidane explained, underscoring his intention to blend his own ideas with the foundations laid by his predecessor. Addressing concerns about his lack of experience as a national‑team manager, Zidane was unequivocal: "There is no worry.
This job is completely different from club coaching, and it does not frighten me. I have a balance between my personal life and the national side, and it suits me perfectly." He also highlighted the extensive preparation he has undertaken during his five‑year hiatus. "I did not sit around twiddling my thumbs. I watched more matches than when I was coaching Real Madrid.
I studied the French squad closely and saw enormous potential," he said. "The talent pool is deep, and I am confident we can build on that." Looking ahead, Zidane outlined his vision for the team’s first fixtures under his stewardship, emphasizing a focus on tactical cohesion, player development, and a renewed attacking philosophy that reflects his own footballing ideals. He promised to integrate younger prospects while respecting the contributions of established stars, aiming to create a harmonious blend that can compete at the highest level. In summary, Zidane's journey from a celebrated player to a decorated club manager and now to the helm of the French national team is marked by a clear, singular ambition: to wear the tricolor badge as head coach.
By turning down lucrative club offers and dedicating himself to the national cause, he signals a commitment that the French public and football community will be watching closely as the team prepares for upcoming qualifiers and the next major tournament.