Paris: The French Football Federation on Tuesday appointed Zinedine Zidane as head coach of the national football team, replacing Didier Deschamps after his 14-year tenure.

According to Anadolu Agency, Federation President Philippe Diallo stated that Zidane had been appointed following consultations with the executive committee and signed a four-year contract that will take effect on August 1. The 54-year-old former France international will take charge in September, with his first matches scheduled in the UEFA Nations League.

France's first match under Zidane is scheduled for September 25 in the UEFA Nations League, against Trkiye. Speaking after his appointment, Zidane expressed that he had turned down all coaching offers over the past five years because managing the France national team was "the only thing" he wanted to do, describing it as "a dream."

Zidane succeeds Deschamps, who had managed France since 2012 and led the team to significant achievements, including the 2018 FIFA World Cup title and the 2022 World Cup final. Zidane, who has not managed a club since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, began his coaching career as an assistant to Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid in 2013 before managing the club's reserve team.

He was appointed Real Madrid head coach in 2016 and guided the Spanish side to three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles before leaving in 2018. He returned to the club in 2019 and remained in charge until 2021. Zidane played 108 games for France, scoring 31 goals, and won the Ballon d'Or in 1998. His international career ended after he was sent off in extra time of the 2006 FIFA World Cup final against Italy following an incident involving defender Marco Materazzi.