Zinedine Zidane has been unveiled as the new France manager, succeeding Didier Deschamps in a move that had been an open secret long before Tuesday’s official announcement. Talks between Zidane and French football authorities began as early as February 2025, following Deschamps’ declaration weeks earlier that he would step down after the 2026 World Cup.
Speaking at his presentation in Paris, Zidane made clear that the France job was always his priority. “I had several offers in the last four or five years, but I turned them all down,” an emotional Zidane said. “The national team is the only thing I wanted.” He also took care to emphasise the time he had spent preparing during his years away from management.
Despite the enthusiasm he showed at the news conference, Zidane revealed little about his tactical plans. When pressed on his preferred style of play, he declined to go into detail. “I can’t explain to you in just a couple of words how we’re going to win. I have to arrive, meet with the players, and explain my plans to them.” A question about Kylian Mbappe’s captaincy was similarly sidestepped, with Zidane stating the priority was for Mbappe to rest before talks in September.
Zidane did confirm his intention “to do things differently” while also signalling a degree of “continuation” from the work of his predecessor, whom he praised. “I’m going to try to do what I know how to, but it won’t be a complete break either.” Both Zidane and Deschamps are 1998 World Cup winners and share traits including pragmatism and a laissez-faire approach to attacking phases.
One hint at his thinking came when Zidane pointed to his playing background. “I was a number 10 as a player,” he said, suggesting he would retain the role that Michael Olise thrived in for much of the summer.
Image credit: BBC Sport / BBC Sport
