Zinedine Zidane Takes Helm as France's New Head Coach

WHO:

beIN SPORTS - Zinedine Zidane has been confirmed as the new head coach of the France men’s national team.

The New York Times - Zidane replaces Didier Deschamps, who announced he would leave his role in January 2025.

Yahoo Sports - Zidane is a former France captain and World Cup winner.

Al Jazeera - Zidane is 54 years old and has signed a four-year contract.

WHAT:

Al Jazeera - Zidane's first match will be away to Turkey in the Nations League on September 25, followed by a match in Belgium three days later.

AP News - Zidane's first home game will be against Italy on October 2, 2026, at the Stade de France.

The New York Times - Zidane stated, "I will give everything so that this team can win," emphasizing his commitment to the team's success.

beIN SPORTS - Zidane's immediate challenge will be the Nations League, where France will face Turkey on September 25, followed by matches against Belgium and Italy.

The New York Times - Zidane stated, "For me, today represents continuity, a dream."

Yahoo Sports - Zidane noted, "Italy is special, because I played there, because I know people, because I speak Italian."

Al Jazeera - Zidane's first home game will be against Italy on October 2.

Al Jazeera - Zidane's first match will be away to Turkey in the Nations League, followed by a match in Belgium three days later.

AP News - Zidane stated, "I will give everything so that this team can win."

The New York Times - Zidane expressed, "We haven’t spoken to Kylian (Mbappe) yet. The most important thing for him is to get some rest."

Al Jazeera - Zidane's first match will be away to Turkey in the Nations League on September 25, followed by a match in Belgium three days later.

AP News - Zidane stated, "I’m excited. The France team makes you dream. We have extraordinary players, an extraordinary team."

The New York Times - Zidane expressed, "Today, in a way, it’s a dream come true."

Yahoo Sports - Zidane noted, "Italy is special, because I played there, because I know people, because I speak Italian."

AP News - Zidane stated, "I’m excited. The France team makes you dream. We have extraordinary players, an extraordinary team."

Al Jazeera - Zidane's first game will be away to Turkey in the Nations League on September 25, followed by a match in Belgium three days later.

Yahoo Sports - Zidane noted, "Italy is special, because I played there, because I know people, because I speak Italian."

Al Jazeera - Zidane's contract with the French national team extends until 2030.

Yahoo Sports - Zidane stated, "I’ve waited five years for this chance, so that’s why I’m a bit emotional. It is the happiest day of my career as coach."

ESPN - Zidane is tasked with delivering France the 2030 World Cup as coach, just as he did as a player in 1998.

beIN SPORTS - Zidane will lead France in the Nations League, facing Turkey on September 25, followed by matches against Belgium and Italy.

The New York Times - Zidane will officially start his role on August 1 and will announce his coaching staff in September.

Yahoo Sports - Zidane expressed that becoming the manager of the French national team is the happiest day of his coaching career.

Al Jazeera - Zidane's first home game will be against Italy on October 2.

WHERE:

The New York Times - Zidane's first home game will take place at the Stade de France.

Yahoo Sports - Zidane's unveiling occurred in Paris.

WHEN:

The New York Times - Zidane will officially start his role on August 1, and will announce the rest of his staff in September.

Yahoo Sports - Zidane's first home game against Italy is scheduled for October 2.

The New York Times - Zidane will officially start his role on August 1, and will announce the rest of his staff in September.

Yahoo Sports - Zidane's first home game against Italy is scheduled for October 2.

The New York Times - Zidane will officially start his role on August 1.

Yahoo Sports - Zidane's first home game against Italy is scheduled for October 2.

Al Jazeera - Zidane's first match will be an away game against Turkey in late September.

WHY:

ESPN - Zidane expressed that he turned down multiple club offers over the past five years, stating, "It was the only job I wanted and waited for the opportunity."

ESPN - Zidane revealed that he rejected several offers to become the new national team coach, stating, "It was the only job I wanted and waited for the opportunity."

ESPN - Zidane revealed that he rejected several offers to become the new national team coach, stating, "It was the only job I wanted and waited for the opportunity."

AP News - Zidane stated, "I had some offers during the five years I was away to take charge of a club. I turned them all down for the France team. It was the only thing I wanted to do."

The Independent - Zidane expressed, "I’ve waited five years for this chance, so that’s why I’m a bit emotional. It is the happiest day of my career as coach."

The New York Times - Zidane stated that he has turned down club offers over the past four or five years to focus on the French national team.

Yahoo Sports - Zidane expressed that the French national team was the only job he wanted after leaving Real Madrid.

HOW:

Yahoo Sports - Zidane emphasized his commitment to a different style of play compared to Deschamps, stating, "What motivates me is the game, I was a No. 10, I like goals."

ESPN - Zidane emphasized, "What motivates me is the game, I was a No. 10, I like goals."

The Independent - Zidane emphasized his commitment to a different style of play compared to Deschamps, stating, "What motivates me is the game, I was a No. 10, I like goals."

The New York Times - Zidane plans to implement his own style of play while maintaining continuity with Deschamps' tactics.

Yahoo Sports - Zidane emphasized his commitment to ensuring the team continues to win, stating, "I will give everything so that this team can win."

Zinedine Zidane is set to kick off his coaching tenure with the national team, starting with an away match against Turkey in the Nations League on September 25, followed by a game in Belgium three days later. His first home game will take place at the Stade de France on October 2, 2026, where he has pledged, "I will give everything so that this team can win." Zidane also shared that he turned down multiple club offers over the past five years, emphasizing that this was the only job he wanted, and he is eager to implement a different style of play, stating, "What motivates me is the game, I was a No. 10, I like goals."