Zidane returns to coaching as France head coach — Report

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.

“Zinedine Zidane has signed as the new France coach until June 2030,” Romano wrote, before declaring the deal confirmed with his trademark “Here we go” phrase.

The 54-year-old is expected to succeed Didier Deschamps, whose 14-year reign ended after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Zidane will lead France through the 2027 UEFA Nations League, Euro 2028 and the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

The appointment brings Zidane back to the dugout for the first time since he ended his second spell as Real Madrid manager in 2021.

He enjoyed enormous success with the Spanish giants, winning three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018.

Zidane also guided Madrid to two La Liga titles, two UEFA Super Cups, two FIFA Club World Cups and other domestic honours across his two spells.

His reported appointment represents a return to the national team where he established himself as one of football’s greatest players.

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

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

The former Ballon d’Or winner has repeatedly been linked with the France job and was widely viewed as the natural successor to Deschamps.

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