Legendary French footballer and coach Zinedine Zidane will become the new head coach of the France national team, according to insider Fabrizio Romano, as reported by infohub.kz.
Didier Deschamps' side lost to Spain in the semifinal of the 2026 World Cup, after which reports emerged that the coach would leave the team he had led since 2012.
"Didier Deschamps' cycle as head coach of the France national team is coming to an end; it's over. The final match for third and fourth place, then his farewell, and the beginning of Zinedine Zidane's era," wrote insider Fabrizio Romano.
It is noted that an official announcement is expected after France's final match of the tournament.
Zidane was last part of the national team as a player, in the 2006 World Cup final in Germany. Italy defeated France on penalties. The decisive moment of the match was Zidane's sending-off in extra time for headbutting Italian defender Marco Materazzi in the chest. After that match, the midfielder ended his playing career.
From 2013, Zidane was part of Real Madrid's coaching staff and also coached Castilla. In 2016, he was promoted to head coach of the first team, with whom he won three consecutive Champions League titles (2016, 2017, 2018). After winning the third title, he left the club but returned in March 2019 during the following season. He remained in charge until the end of the 2020/21 season, leaving Real Madrid in June 2021, and has not coached anyone since, being out of work for five years.