After years of waiting and numerous rumors, the Zinedine Zidane era at the French national team has finally begun. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the legend born in 1972 has reached an agreement to become the new head coach of "Les Bleus," realizing the biggest dream of his coaching career.
This decision was made shortly after France's 0-2 defeat to Spain in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup. Zidane's arrival was expected to breathe new life into a star-studded squad that was showing signs of tactical stagnation under Didier Deschamps.
The revival plan and the return of the true "Number 10".
Beyond simply signing a contract, Zidane is said to have already outlined a detailed personnel plan for the future of French football. The most notable aspect of the new manager's philosophy is the restoration of the role of a talented playmaker – a classic "number 10" but with a modern twist.
The central figure in this plan is Michael Olise. The Bayern Munich star is highly regarded by Zidane for his tactical vision and ability to create breakthroughs. The 52-year-old strategist's goal is to build a solid central axis, where Olise will act as a supply player for captain Kylian Mbappe . The combination of Olise's technique and Mbappe's speed is predicted to create the most formidable attacking force in the world in the coming years.
The roadmap to conquering Euro 2028 and World Cup 2030.
Zidane's contract with the French Football Federation will span major tournaments, including the UEFA Nations League, Euro 2028, and the 2030 World Cup. Winning Euro 2028 in Great Britain and Ireland is the top priority. This is a title French fans have craved for over two decades, since their last triumph in 2000 – a tournament in which Zidane was a key player.
To prepare for this task, Zidane has assembled a trusted coaching staff and is expected to sign official contracts this month. Previously, the former Real Madrid manager had rejected many attractive offers from top European clubs, patiently waiting for the opportunity to take over the national team's hot seat.
Challenges from major competitors
Despite possessing a quality squad, Zidane will face significant challenges as direct competitors like Spain and Argentina are showing extremely consistent form. At the 2026 World Cup, Spain demonstrated superiority in their possession-based style of play, while Argentina remains a formidable force with their calculated defensive and foul-committing statistics.
Zidane's patience throughout this period shows that he has been thoroughly prepared both mentally and tactically. French fans are hoping that, with the prestige of a legend and the mindset of a coach who has won the Champions League three times in a row, Zidane will bring French football back to its position of absolute dominance.