New era for Les Bleus: Zidane signs on until 2030… Barthez by his side

French football legend Zinedine Zidane has committed to lead the France national team as head coach through 2030, stepping in to replace Didier Deschamps.

The official announcement of his appointment is expected by the end of the week or early next week.

L'Équipe: Barthez and Diomède joining Zidane's staff

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the agreement between Zidane and the French Football Federation has been in place since last November and was never in doubt, despite interest from several clubs.

This deal is part of a long-term project aiming to restore Les Bleus to the pinnacle of world football.

As reported by L'Équipe, Zidane has chosen to surround himself with trusted allies on his technical staff. Former international goalkeeper Fabien Barthez will join his team alongside Bernard Diomède, currently the head coach of France's U20 squad.

Didier Deschamps stepped down after 14 years at the helm following France's defeat to England (6-4) in the 2026 World Cup third-place playoff.

The French tactician clarified that his decision had been made since last year, explaining that "the stifling atmosphere" surrounding the national team was a major factor in his departure.

2026 World Cup: Zinédine Zidane to attend the final in the stands

Mohamed Rek |

Editorfr, ar, en

Mohamed Rek- sports content writer with over 10 years of experience creating football content in Arabic and French for platforms such as Foot Africa and Starafrica, combining accuracy, creativity, and audience engagement.

Related teams and leagues

France