French football legend Zinedine Zidane will take charge as the new head coach of the French national football team for the next four years.

Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation (FFF), officially announced Zidane as the new national team head coach during a press conference.

"This morning we are experiencing a truly special moment. It is an even more special moment when I think of the person sitting next to me," Diallo said, introducing Zidane.

"Following the departure of coach Didier Deschamps, at the start of a new cycle, it was important to find a solution to continue the golden age of French football," Diallo explained regarding the choice of Zidane. "We wanted someone with the charisma and competence to lead one of the best national teams in the world."

Diallo added that this agreement is "the result of mutual desires aligning," noting that "Zinedine, one of the legends of French football, has stated that coaching the national team was one of his dreams."

According to Diallo, Zidane's term begins on the 1st of next month, and the full coaching staff will be announced in early September.

"Over the past four to five years, I received several offers to coach clubs, but I turned down all of them for the French national team," Zidane said, revealing that the national team job was the "only thing" he wanted to do following his tenure at the helm of Spanish professional club Real Madrid.

"I started in the youth national team, went through all the age-group teams, and climbed up to the senior national team. This is the pinnacle," Zidane said, expressing his determination. "I am truly happy and emotional. I will give everything so that this team can continue to win."

Asked how he plans to lead the national team, Zidane stated, "The driving force that moves me is scoring goals. Team balance is important, but the most important thing is the game itself. I was a leader on the pitch and now I will be an experienced leader."

Regarded as a "genius midfielder," Zidane cemented his status as a "football hero" during his playing days by wearing the French national team jersey and leading the team to victory at the 1998 World Cup in France, winning Euro 2000, and finishing as runners-up at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

After retiring as a player, he took charge of Real Madrid and led the club to three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles from the 2015-2016 season to the 2017-2018 season.

Zidane has long been designated as the ideal person to lead the national team, succeeding Didier Deschamps, who managed France for 14 years.

During the press conference, Zidane paid tribute to Deschamps, who left the national team after the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, stating, "I applaud all the achievements you have made. Everyone is grateful for your dedication."

Zidane will make his debut as head coach of the French national team in an away UEFA Nations League match against Turkey on September 25.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)