“I am like all French people,” Genesio said. “First of all, I would like to underline the work of Didier Deschamps because we live in a world where people forget things very quickly. I am very happy with the arrival of Zinedine Zidane, but I would like to emphasise what Deschamps has done for 14 years. It is exceptional. I feel that sometimes we have lacked some respect concerning that.”

Deschamps’ departure brought an end to one of the most successful managerial tenures in the history of the France national team. Genesio stressed that the outgoing coach’s 14-year record deserves greater appreciation as the national team enters a new chapter.

Genesio confident in Zidane’s credentials

Despite his insistence on honouring Deschamps’ legacy, Genesio expressed strong support for the new appointment. The Marseille-born Zidane returns to management for the first time since leaving Real Madrid in 2021.

Genesio pointed to Zidane’s remarkable achievements at the Spanish club as evidence of his suitability for the role. “As soon as Didier announced his departure, we wanted to have the name of who would replace him,” Genesio continued. “We will have someone with legitimacy from his career as a player, but not only that, because what he achieved during his time at Real Madrid, winning the Champions Leagues, was exceptional.”

During his time in the Spanish capital, Zidane guided Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles, establishing himself among Europe’s elite coaches.

Maintaining standards

The Marseille manager believes Zidane’s approach will ensure France remain competitive at the highest level. “I think we trust him, his work and his method, which will hopefully keep French football at the highest level for years to come,” Genesio said.

Zidane’s connection to Marseille adds a notable dimension to his return to French football, though he will now operate on the international stage. His task will be to maintain the standards set during Deschamps’ lengthy reign while imprinting his own identity on the squad.

‘The only thing I wanted’

Zidane revealed that he declined numerous managerial proposals during his five-year absence from the dugout because leading Les Bleus represented his sole professional ambition.

“I turned them all down for the French national team, because it’s the only thing I wanted to do after my experience at Real Madrid,” Zidane stated. “The only thing that motivates me is being able to work for this team and for it to continue winning.”

The former midfielder described his appointment as “the best day of my coaching career.” He also paid tribute to his predecessor and offered support to firefighters tackling forest fires in southwestern France.

Real Madrid pedigree

Zidane had been without a club since resigning from Real Madrid in 2021. He previously enjoyed two spells with the Spanish giants, initially taking charge of the senior side in 2016 after managing their reserve team, Real Madrid Castilla, and serving as Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant.

During his first tenure, he secured three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018, a feat never previously achieved. He also claimed La Liga honours in 2017. After a brief departure, he returned in 2019 to win a second league title during the disrupted 2019-20 campaign before leaving again in 2021.

Zidane’s desire to manage France was publicly known. In 2022, he told L’Equipe he wished to “come full circle” with the national team, adding that representing his country remained the best thing that ever happened to him.

What happens next

Zidane assumes control of a squad boasting considerable international experience. His four-year agreement commits him to the national team through the 2030 World Cup cycle, tasked with maintaining France’s status among the game’s elite.

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• Zinedine Zidane

The French FA has scheduled a press conference in Paris to confirm what has become the worst-kept secret in French football. Zidane, who lifted the World Cup and European Championship as a player for France, steps into the role following Deschamps’ 14-year tenure.

Proven pedigree at club level

Zidane arrives with an exceptional managerial CV from his time at Real Madrid. He remains the only coach in history to win three consecutive Champions League titles, achieving the feat in 2016, 2017 and 2018. During two spells at the Bernabéu, he also extracted the best from a galaxy of stars including Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Luka Modrić and Casemiro.

However, the 52-year-old has been without a job since resigning from Madrid in 2021 after a trophyless campaign. His last competitive match came nearly four years ago, raising questions about how he will adapt to the rhythm of international football.

Tactical philosophy and squad riches

Those who worked under Zidane describe a coach who prioritises player expression over rigid systems. “My target is that players have fun on the pitch,” he said during his first Madrid press conference. He favours tactical flexibility, having deployed formations ranging from 4-3-3 to a diamond midfield with a classic number ten—a role he famously occupied during his own playing career.

According to L’Equipe, Zidane has been encouraged by France’s recent shift towards a more proactive, attacking style following a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign. The newspaper suggests Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise has caught Zidane’s eye as a potential creative fulcrum, with the 23-year-old having recently become the first player to register seven assists at a single World Cup.

The new manager inherits a squad brimming with elite talent. William Saliba, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Ousmane Dembélé and Kylian Mbappé offer a blend of youth and experience that mirrors the star-studded Madrid dressing rooms Zidane previously commanded.

Man-management and national team challenges

Zidane’s greatest strength may lie in his ability to handle oversized egos. “I worked with many coaches and some gifted players who had big egos. I know the dressing room and I know very well how players think,” he once noted. Former Madrid midfielder Isco echoed this sentiment, stating: “He is one of the best players in the history of football. So you pay attention to anything he has to say.”

International management presents a different challenge to club football, with less time on the training ground and greater emphasis on motivation and harmony. Yet Zidane’s aura—Mbappé was only seven years old when Zidane dazzled against Brazil in the 2006 World Cup quarter-finals—should command immediate respect from a generation who grew up idolising him.

The French FA will hope that Zidane’s blend of tactical acumen and emotional intelligence can restore Les Bleus to the summit of world football after the relative disappointment of recent tournaments.

Mbappé’s correspondence arrives following a bittersweet campaign in which Les Bleus reached the semi-finals but ultimately missed out on a medal. France suffered a 2-0 defeat to eventual champions Spain in the last four, before conceding six goals in a remarkable 6-4 defeat against England in the Bronze final.

Acknowledging the pain

In his address, the 27-year-old acknowledged the disappointment of falling short at the final hurdle. “We didn’t bring home the trophy. It hurts and it will continue to hurt for a while, I’m not going to lie to you about that,” he wrote, referencing the semi-final elimination in America.

While Mbappé’s individual exploits earned him the Golden Boot as the competition’s leading marksman, the captain made clear that collective glory remained the ultimate objective. Despite the painful conclusion to their campaign, he emphasised his pride in the squad’s commitment. “We don’t always choose the end of the story, we choose what we put into it, and we put everything in it. This is something we are proud of,” he stated, offering gratitude to team-mates, Didier Deschamps‘ departing staff and supporters who made the journey or watched from home.

New chapter begins

The publication coincides with the departure of Deschamps, who steps down after overseeing France’s campaign. Zinédine Zidane is set to be officially announced as the new manager on Tuesday, marking a fresh chapter for the national side.

Mbappé expressed optimism about the future, signalling his continued dedication to the French team. “This World Cup is over, but the story goes on. There will be other games, other summer or winter evenings where we’ll all come together again in front of this same game, with the same desire intact. We’re not done playing together. Thank you for everything,” he concluded.

The transition from Deschamps to Zidane represents one of the most significant managerial changes in recent French football history. With Mbappé retaining the captain’s armband and his scoring form from the tournament, the 27-year-old will remain the focal point as Les Bleus shift their focus towards upcoming international competitions.

The assessment came during an exclusive interview with Get French Football News conducted shortly after France’s World Cup semi-final elimination. Despite the disappointment, Aliadière dismissed suggestions that the defeat damages Mbappé’s standing among the nation’s elite, noting that the 25-year-old claimed the Golden Boot and became the tournament’s record goalscorer in Qatar.

Aliadière believes supporters judge players too harshly based on immediate results. “The football world and football people react a lot in the moment, to the emotions of the event,” he explained. “At the end of his career, I think he’ll be the best of all time.”

Records and reputation

The former striker highlighted Mbappé’s existing achievements as evidence of his superiority. The Paris Saint-Germain captain secured a World Cup winner’s medal in 2018 aged just 18 and has already become France’s record goalscorer while still only 27. Aliadière suggested that by the time the attacker reaches his mid-thirties, he will have shattered every meaningful record for Les Bleus.

Aliadière placed Mbappé in a lineage of French icons including Zidane, Platini, Raymond Kopa and Antoine Griezmann. However, he argued that public perception of Zidane relies heavily on selective memory. “Zidane will always be Zidane because we will always remember what he did in the 1998 World Cup,” he acknowledged, before reminding supporters that the midfielder received a red card against Saudi Arabia during that campaign and missed two matches. He also referenced the 2006 final incident involving Marco Materazzi, which “maybe cost us the final.”

Peak years approaching

The analysis suggested Mbappé’s most productive period may still lie ahead. Aliadière projected that the captain will be 31 when the next World Cup arrives in 2026, an age he described as the optimum window for strikers. With the European Championship scheduled for 2024, the forward has immediate opportunities to add major honours.

“Who says that he won’t win the World Cup in four years’ time?” Aliadière asked. “He will be 31 years old and 30-32 is the best time for a striker.”

Aliadière, who progressed through Arsenal’s academy before representing France at youth level, maintains that Mbappé’s goal-scoring feats and longevity will ultimately place him above all previous French talents.

The 1998 World Cup winner has remained outside management since departing the Santiago Bernabéu in 2021. His return sees him take charge of the national side he represented with distinction as a player, including captaining Les Bleus to their maiden World Cup triumph on home soil.

Contract and Timeline

Zidane is expected to sign a four-year deal with the French Football Federation. The agreement would secure his position through to the 2030 World Cup, giving him the opportunity to oversee two complete major tournament cycles with the current generation of French talent.

This long-term commitment suggests a strategic approach to squad development, allowing time to integrate emerging players while maintaining the competitive standards set during recent successful eras for the national team.

Immediate Challenges

The new manager’s first competitive fixture presents a stern examination. France will travel to Turkey in late September for their opening match of the 2026-2027 Nations League campaign. The away fixture offers Zidane an early opportunity to assess his squad against organised opposition in a high-stakes competitive environment.

The Nations League assignment begins a new chapter for a side seeking to reclaim its position at the summit of international football. Zidane’s record of three consecutive Champions League victories with Real Madrid demonstrates his capacity to manage elite talent, though the rhythms of international football differ markedly from club management.

His appointment concludes the search for a permanent manager and establishes a clear direction as France prepare for the upcoming qualifying campaigns and future tournament ambitions.

An elite lineage

The Spaniard joins a select group that began with West Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller, who achieved the feat on the same day in 1974. The Bayern Munich pair entered that year’s World Cup final against the Netherlands having already secured the European Championship in 1972 and the European Cup in 1974. Müller scored the winner in the 2-1 final victory on 7 July 1974, with both men having already claimed the Ballon d’Or—Müller in 1970 and Beckenbauer in 1972.

Nearly three decades passed before Zinedine Zidane matched the achievement in 2002. The French maestro’s stunning volley in the Champions League final for Real Madrid completed his set, which included the 1998 World Cup, Euro 2000 and the 1998 Ballon d’Or.

Brazilian duo Rivaldo and Ronaldinho followed, though both carry minor caveats. Rivaldo was an unused substitute for Milan in the 2003 Champions League final against Juventus despite playing throughout the competition, while Ronaldinho did not feature in the 1999 Copa América final for Brazil. Lionel Messi completed the set with Argentina‘s 2022 World Cup victory, having won his first Champions League with Barcelona in 2006 and the Ballon d’Or in 2009.

Speed and exclusivity

Only Beckenbauer claimed all four honours within a shorter timeframe, achieving the quadruple within two years. Rodri’s spanned from 2023 to 2026.

The achievement remains elusive in the women’s game, largely because the Ballon d’Or Féminin is only seven editions old. Barcelona stars Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí have won five of those between them and possess both World Cup and Champions League winners’ medals, but must wait until the 2029 European Championship for their opportunity to complete the set. Megan Rapinoe, the 2019 Ballon d’Or Féminin winner, also holds a World Cup and Concacaf W Championship title, though a continental club championship never materialised during her career.

World Cup records rewritten

The recent tournament also produced significant assist records. France‘s Michael Olise set a new benchmark for a single World Cup with seven assists in 2026, surpassing Pelé’s six from 1970. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi extended his all-time record to 12 World Cup assists across his career from 2006 to 2026, moving clear of Diego Maradona’s eight.

Speaking exclusively to Get French Football News, Aliadière reflected on Didier Deschamps’ 14-year tenure following France’s World Cup semi-final elimination, praising the departing coach for delivering World Cup glory both as a player and as a manager while successfully navigating a dressing room filled with superstar egos.

Deschamps’ enduring legacy

Aliadière defended Deschamps’ record despite recent disappointment, emphasising the difficulty of managing a squad boasting the Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé alongside Mbappé, Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki, Bradley Barcola and Désiré Doué. He noted that Deschamps prioritised collective mentality over individual talent, often leaving gifted players on the bench to preserve squad harmony.

“You can’t forget everything he has done,” Aliadière stated regarding Deschamps, who guided France to World Cup success in 2018 after winning the tournament as a player in 1998. “He has done a very, very good job and I think that we must not forget that.”

The Zidane factor

Aliadière believes Zidane’s appointment would bring a different dimension to the role, primarily through the instant respect his name generates among modern players. Zidane collected multiple titles during his successful spell at Real Madrid, and Aliadière suggests this pedigree would translate seamlessly to the international stage.

“What Zidane has over everyone else is that he is Zidane,” Aliadière explained. “When you’re Zidane all the players, even Mbappé, are going to listen to you.”

He added: “When Zidane walks into the changing room you listen and I think that he will have a very good relationship with all the players.”

World Cup target awaits

The former striker highlighted the wealth of attacking talent Zidane would inherit, suggesting the next coach must continue Deschamps’ delicate balancing act of managing elite individuals while fostering team unity. Aliadière argued that Zidane’s legendary status would facilitate this process, with players eager to join his project and accept tactical instruction without resistance.

“That’s how he succeeded, pretty easily, at Real Madrid, winning titles – because the players listened to him,” Aliadière noted. “All the players will want to be part of his project, to be with Zidane, to listen and to take the team to victory.”

Aliadière concluded that to truly surpass Deschamps’ achievements, Zidane must ultimately win the World Cup. With a generation of French talent already developed and hungry for success, the next manager will inherit a squad capable of challenging for major honours, provided he can maintain the delicate harmony his predecessor cultivated.

Deschamps departs after a 14-year reign that has seen Les Bleus compete consistently at the highest level. His stewardship concludes with the third-place playoff, which follows a semi-final defeat to Spain that denied France a place in the World Cup final. The outgoing manager leaves having established himself as one of the most successful coaches in the nation’s history.

Mbappé leads tributes

France captain Kylian Mbappé has led the tributes to Deschamps, posting a heartfelt message on X acknowledging the manager’s contribution to the national team’s revival. The Real Madrid forward, who scored all 64 of his international goals under Deschamps, expressed regret that the squad could not secure a better farewell.

“We should have given you a better send-off, but we failed to do so,” Mbappé wrote. “People haven’t always appreciated your greatness, but time and history will see to that.”

Mbappé described feeling privileged to have played under Deschamps, stating: “I have nothing but fond memories of everything we’ve experienced and achieved together.” He thanked the outgoing coach for the opportunity to represent France and for his service to the national shirt.

Zidane’s immediate challenge

The 1998 Ballon d’Or winner faces an instant examination of his credentials, with four UEFA Nations League fixtures scheduled during a congested three-week international break beginning in early September. This rapid start leaves minimal time for tactical implementation as Zidane assesses a squad accustomed to operating under Deschamps’ methods for over a decade.

The French FA is expected to formalise Zidane’s appointment and confirm his backroom staff in the coming days. The four-year agreement provides stability through the next international cycle, allowing the new regime time to imprint its identity before the next major tournament.

Zidane, who was long considered the overwhelming favourite to succeed his former France and Juventus teammate, inherits a squad rich in talent but requiring fresh direction after the disappointment of the World Cup semi-finals. His challenge will be to maintain Les Bleus’ competitive standards while introducing his own approach to a group that has known only one managerial voice since 2012.

• Former FFF president Noël Le Graët denies ever considering Zinedine Zidane for the France manager position
• The statement addresses Le Graët’s controversial 2022 remarks that drew criticism from captain Kylian Mbappé
• Zidane has remained unemployed since departing Real Madrid in 2021 but stands as the favourite to succeed Deschamps after the 2026 World Cup
• Le Graët acknowledges Zidane’s exceptional managerial record, including three consecutive Champions League titles

Noël Le Graët has revealed that appointing Zinedine Zidane as manager of the French national team was never an option during his presidency at the French Football Federation (FFF). The 82-year-old made this admission while reflecting on previous controversial comments he made regarding the former Real Madrid coach.

In an interview with Ouest-France, Le Graët explained that the possibility of replacing Didier Deschamps with Zidane simply never arose whilst he held office. This clarification comes in response to intense speculation that linked Zidane to the Les Bleus role following the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

During that period, many expected Zidane to take charge of the national side. Instead, Deschamps secured a contract extension. Le Graët previously faced heavy backlash when he stated he would not have answered his telephone if Zidane had called regarding the vacancy. France captain Kylian Mbappé publicly condemned these remarks as disrespectful.

Zidane has not managed any club since leaving his post at the Santiago Bernabéu three years ago. Despite this lengthy absence from the dugout, Le Graët believes the 1998 World Cup winner remains the obvious candidate to replace Deschamps when the current boss departs following the 2026 World Cup.

“A name like Zidane is impossible to hide for a very long time,” Le Graët told the French publication.

The former federation chief also praised Zidane’s coaching credentials. He highlighted the legend’s remarkable achievements during his first spell in Spain, where he guided the club to three successive Champions League triumphs. Le Graët stressed that nobody could question Zidane’s qualifications or his capability to lead the French national side in the future.