Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
French football icon Zinedine Zidane has reportedly agreed to become the next head coach of the French national team, with a contract set to run until June 2030.
The news was revealed on Tuesday by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who reported that the former Real Madrid boss has finalized the agreement.
Zidane is expected to be officially unveiled by the French Football Federation in the coming days.
“Zinedine Zidane has signed as the new France coach until June 2030. The story has been confirmed as Zizou will be unveiled as the new head coach in the next days back to work with France,” Romano wrote in a post on Facebook.
According to Romano, Zidane is expected to lead Les Bleus into the 2027 UEFA Nations League, the UEFA Euro 2028 tournament and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, marking his first managerial role at international level.
The 54-year-old has been without a coaching role since leaving Real Madrid in 2021 after his second stint at the club.
During his time at the Santiago Bernabéu, Zidane built an outstanding managerial legacy, leading Los Blancos to an unprecedented three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018.
He also guided the Spanish giants to two La Liga crowns, two Spanish Super Cups, two UEFA Super Cups and two FIFA Club World Cups, establishing himself as one of the most successful managers in the club’s history.
Zidane has long been viewed as the frontrunner to replace Didier Deschamps, who has been in charge of the French national team since 2012.
Deschamps is expected to step down after France’s campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The former France captain, who lifted the World Cup as a player in 1998, has repeatedly stated his ambition to one day coach Les Bleus, making the reported appointment one of the most anticipated developments in French football.
At the time of filing this report, the French Football Federation had not officially confirmed Zidane’s appointment.
However, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano said the agreement had been finalized, punctuating the announcement with his trademark phrase: “Here we go.”
