- “I Turned Down Every Offer Because France Was the Only Job I Wanted” — Zidane
Zinedine Zidane has revealed that he rejected every coaching offer that came his way over the past five years because he was determined to become the head coach of the France national team.
The legendary French midfielder officially began a new chapter on Monday after being unveiled as successor to Didier Deschamps, ending years of speculation linking him with some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Speaking at his first press conference as France manager, Zidane admitted that leading Les Bleus had always been his ultimate ambition after leaving Real Madrid in 2021.
“I had offers from clubs over the last four or five years, but I turned them all down because the France national team was the only job I wanted,” Zidane said.
“After my time at Real Madrid, I always believed that coaching France was the next step for me. I saw the national team both as a supporter and as someone who hoped to manage it one day.”
The 54-year-old explained that despite receiving attractive proposals from several clubs, he remained patient because he believed the opportunity to lead his country would eventually arrive.
“There were some excellent projects that I could have accepted, but I chose to wait. Once Didier announced in early 2025 that he would step down after the World Cup, I immediately knew I wanted to succeed him.”
Zidane added that he met French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo shortly after Deschamps’ announcement, and discussions eventually led to his appointment as the new national team coach.
The former Real Madrid boss takes over one of international football’s most successful teams after the end of Deschamps’ remarkable 12-year reign.
During that period, France won the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2021 UEFA Nations League, while also finishing runners-up at UEFA Euro 2016 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Deschamps concluded his tenure following France’s fourth-place finish at the 2026 World Cup.
Although he inherits a successful team, Zidane insists he will not attempt to copy his predecessor’s methods.
“Didier is Didier Deschamps, and I have enormous respect for what he achieved,” he said. “I will do things my own way. It won’t be a complete break because continuity is important, but I want to bring my own ideas while ensuring France continues to win.”
French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo said Zidane’s confidence convinced him he was the ideal man for the job.
Diallo recalled that during their first meeting in February 2025, Zidane made a simple but powerful statement.
“He looked at me and said, ‘Mr. President, I know how to win.’ From that moment, I knew he had the ambition and belief needed to lead this team.”
Zidane’s confidence is backed by one of the most decorated coaching careers in modern football. During two spells with Real Madrid, he guided the Spanish giants to three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018, two La Liga crowns, two FIFA Club World Cups, two UEFA Super Cups and two Spanish Super Cups.
Despite spending the last five years away from the dugout, Zidane rejected suggestions that he had been inactive.
“I wasn’t sitting around doing nothing,” he said. “I watched more football than I did when I was coaching Real Madrid. I followed the French national team closely, and I know the quality that exists within this squad.”
With a talented generation of players at his disposal and a contract running through the 2030 FIFA World Cup, Zidane now begins the challenge of writing his own chapter in French football history, hoping to build on the foundations laid by Deschamps while guiding France back to the summit of world football.
