Zidane: ‘This is the only thing I wanted to do’

This day has finally come. After waiting for so long and after refusing many clubs and national teams, Zinedine Zidane finally got his wish. France and Real’s legend was officially announced as the new national team coach. After Didier Deschamps decided to call it quits, it was obvious that there is no other candidate apart from Zidane. Former Real and Juventus player signed a contract that will see him lead the nation through the 2030 World Cup qualifiers. He will debut with the team in September, when France will play four games: Turkey September 25 and then they will face Belgium (twice) and Italy.

Needles to say, Zidane was thrilled at the press conference.

"Today is a continuation for me, a dream come true. I had offers for four or five years to take over a club and I refused them all for the French national team. It's the only thing I wanted to do. I've known it since I was a kid, I started in the youth ranks, I went through all the stages until I reached the senior national team. I'm going to give everything so that this team continues to win, that's the only thing that motivates me. I commend Didier Deschamps for his work, this is an opportunity for me to say well done. Something new will begin, but always with the same goal: to win" said the new France boss.

Joke of the day: Forty-eight managers walk into World Cup. Guess how many make it out?

Zidane revealed that his backing staff will be more-less the same as in Real Madrid and that the next step will be contacting the players.

"Winning in '98 is the best thing that's ever happened to me in my life, winning with my friends. I spent those 4-5 years waiting for that day. I'm emotional, you can't see it but I'm so excited. I'm happy. I can't explain how we're going to win in a few words. I have an extraordinary team that will be in place. I need to come down to earth, see the players, explain my game plan to them, what we're going to do together. Then it will be up to me as coach to continue to make this team win. My close and technical staff is already in place, it's practically the same one I had during all these years at Real, with maybe two or three additions. I'm loyal in that respect, we're going to continue the adventure with these few people” he said.

Zizou is back! Zidane ready to take over France after the World Cup

Even though he was out of the job for five years, Zidane was active and prepared for this day.

“I didn't twiddle my thumbs during the last five years. I watched a lot of matches, even more than when I was Real Madrid coach. I saw a lot of the French national team as a whole and I saw a lot of things. The only thing I wanted to do after Madrid was the French national team. I could have taken on a project for three years because Deschamps was there. He made this decision in January 2025, and the very next day I knew I wanted to be the next one. We met with the president and the agreement was sealed" said Zidane. And now, he finally has a dream job and is ready to work.