What Happened to Zinedine Zidane?
Zinedine Zidane, a legendary figure in football as both a player and a coach, is currently poised to return to management as the head coach of the French national team. He has reached a verbal agreement to succeed Didier Deschamps after the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking his highly anticipated comeback to the dugout after leaving Real Madrid in 2021. In the interim, he has engaged in ambassadorial roles, notably with Alpine and Palace Merano.
Quick Answer
Zinedine Zidane is set to become the next manager of the French national football team, taking over from Didier Deschamps after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He has been out of active management since his second departure from Real Madrid in 2021 but has verbally agreed to this highly anticipated role. During his hiatus, Zidane has taken on ambassadorial duties, including for the Alpine F1 team and the Palace Merano medical spa.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline16 events
Born in Marseille, France
Zinedine Zidane was born in Marseille, France.
Professional Debut with Cannes
Zidane made his professional debut for AS Cannes at the age of 17.
Transfers to Juventus
After impressing at Bordeaux, Zidane moved to Italian club Juventus, where he won two Serie A titles.
Wins FIFA World Cup with France and Ballon d'Or
Zidane scored two goals in the final as France won their first FIFA World Cup on home soil. He also received the Ballon d'Or.
Wins UEFA European Championship with France
Zidane led France to victory in the UEFA Euro 2000, being named Player of the Tournament.
Joins Real Madrid for World Record Fee
Zidane transferred to Real Madrid for a then-world record fee of €77.5 million, becoming a key figure in the 'Galácticos' era.
Scores Iconic Champions League Final Goal
Zidane scored a memorable left-foot volley in the 2002 UEFA Champions League final, securing Real Madrid's ninth European title.
Retires from Playing Career after World Cup Final
Zidane retired from professional football after the 2006 FIFA World Cup final, where he was infamously sent off.
Appointed Real Madrid First Team Coach
After coaching Real Madrid Castilla, Zidane was promoted to manager of the first team.
Resigns from Real Madrid after Third Consecutive UCL Title
Zidane stepped down as Real Madrid manager, having led the club to an unprecedented three consecutive Champions League victories.
Returns to Coach Real Madrid
Zidane made a surprising return to Real Madrid as head coach less than a year after his initial departure.
Departs Real Madrid for Second Time
Zidane resigned from his second stint as Real Madrid manager after the team finished second in La Liga.
Named Alpine F1 Team Ambassador
Zidane joined the Alpine F1 team as a brand ambassador, focusing on equal opportunities programs.
Becomes Palace Merano Brand Ambassador
Zidane officially joined Palace Merano, an Italian medical spa he has frequented, as its new brand ambassador.
Publicly Expresses Desire to Coach France
At the Trento Sports Festival, Zidane confirmed his intention to return to coaching and expressed his strong desire to manage the French national team.
Verbal Agreement to Coach France After 2026 World Cup
Reports from French and Spanish media confirm Zidane has reached a verbal agreement with the FFF to succeed Didier Deschamps as France coach after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Zinedine Zidane, widely regarded as one of football's greatest, has been a prominent figure in the sport for decades, first as an iconic attacking midfielder and later as a highly successful coach. After a glittering playing career that saw him win the FIFA World Cup with France in 1998 and the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid in 2002, he transitioned into management.
His coaching career began with Real Madrid Castilla before he took the helm of the first team in January 2016. In an unprecedented feat, Zidane led Real Madrid to three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018, along with a La Liga title in 2017. He surprisingly resigned in May 2018, citing the club's need for a change. However, he returned to the club in March 2019 and secured another La Liga title in the 2019-2020 season before departing for a second time in May 2021.
Following his second departure from Real Madrid, Zidane entered a period of hiatus from active coaching. Despite being linked with numerous high-profile club vacancies across Europe, including Manchester United and a potential return to Real Madrid, he consistently turned down offers. This deliberate patience stemmed from his long-held ambition to manage the French national team, a desire he publicly reiterated in October 2025 at the Trento Sports Festival, stating, "I'd like to be the head coach of the France team one day. I will surely return to coaching."
The turning point arrived in early 2026. Current France coach Didier Deschamps confirmed his intention to step down after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which perfectly aligned with Zidane's aspirations. By March and April 2026, multiple reports from French and Spanish outlets, including Le Parisien and AS, confirmed that Zidane had reached a verbal agreement with the French Football Federation (FFF) to take over the national team after the World Cup. FFF president Philippe Diallo also hinted strongly at a successor being identified, without explicitly naming Zidane, further fueling the speculation.
As of June 14, 2026, Zinedine Zidane is not actively managing a team but is widely expected to assume the role of France's head coach immediately following the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup. This move marks the fulfillment of a long-term dream and is anticipated to usher in a new era for Les Bleus. In the interim, he has maintained a public profile through ambassadorial roles, notably becoming a brand ambassador for Alpine's equal opportunities programs in February 2023 and for the luxurious medical spa Palace Merano in April 2025, a place he has frequented for nearly three decades for wellness.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Zinedine Zidane made different choices?