Zidane Set for France Return as New Head Coach After Five-Year Absence

(Zinedine Zidane. Photo by Goal.com)

French football legend, Zinedine Zidane, is reportedly set to return to management after five years away, having signed a deal to become France's new head coach.

The contract will keep the former Real Madrid manager in charge of Les Bleus until June 2030.

Transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, disclosed the agreement on Tuesday, adding that Zidane would be officially unveiled in the coming days.

According to Romano, Zidane has agreed a deal to take over as France coach through to June 2030, describing the arrangement as confirmed.

The 54-year-old is expected to succeed Didier Deschamps, whose 14-year reign came to an end following the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Zidane is set to lead France through the 2027 UEFA Nations League, Euro 2028, and the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

The appointment marks Zidane's return to the touchline for the first time since he ended his second spell as Real Madrid manager in 2021, a period during which he enjoyed considerable success, including three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018.

He also guided the Spanish giants to two La Liga titles, two UEFA Super Cups, two FIFA Club World Cups, and several other domestic honours across both spells at the club.

His reported appointment represents a homecoming of sorts to the national team where he first established himself as one of football's greatest players.

Zidane inspired France to their maiden World Cup title in 1998, scoring twice in the final as Les Bleus defeated Brazil 3-0 in Paris.

He also formed part of the French squad that won Euro 2000 and later captained the country to the 2006 World Cup final.

The former Ballon d'Or winner had long been linked with the France job and was widely regarded as the natural successor to Deschamps.

However, the French Football Federation had yet to issue an official statement confirming the appointment at the time of filing this report.