Kylian Mbappe has greeted Zinedine Zidane’s appointment as France head coach with a brief but emphatic message, as the former Real Madrid manager prepares to take charge of the national team next month.
The French Football Federation confirmed that Zidane, who won the Champions League three times in a row with Real Madrid, will succeed Didier Deschamps after his 14-year spell in charge of Les Bleus. Zidane’s tenure is scheduled to begin officially on 25 September, when France face Turkey.
Soon after the announcement, Mbappe – captain of France and now a Real Madrid player himself – publicly endorsed the decision, underlining the respect Zidane commands within the squad. The forward addressed the new coach directly, writing: “اهلا بك في بيتك” – Arabic for “Welcome to your home” – a phrase interpreted as a warm and symbolic reception for the French legend.
Zidane handed second major coaching challenge
Zidane’s return to frontline management is being framed as the second major test of his coaching career, following his highly successful spell at Real Madrid. With the Spanish club, he secured three consecutive Champions League titles, enhancing a reputation already established during his playing days as one of France’s greatest footballers.
The French Football Federation’s decision brings to an end weeks of speculation and anticipation within French football following Deschamps’ departure. Deschamps leaves having overseen one of the most decorated eras in France’s history, with a World Cup triumph in 2018, a runners-up finish at the 2022 World Cup, and victory in the UEFA Nations League.
In stepping into that legacy, Zidane is tasked with maintaining France’s position among the elite of world and European football. He will be expected to keep the team competing for major honours at both continental and global level, building on the consistently high standards of recent years.
New era built around young core
Mbappe’s role in this new chapter has already been formalised. The French Football Federation had previously confirmed that the forward would be the official captain of the national team, a move seen as central to a broader plan to construct a fresh project around a younger generation of French talent.
Zidane, widely respected in both French and international football circles, is viewed as the figure to lead that transition. His combination of elite playing pedigree, tactical credibility and stature within the game is regarded by the federation as crucial in guiding a squad rich in emerging stars.
The appointment is being framed inside France as a major turning point for the national side, matching the end of Deschamps’ long tenure with the arrival of another iconic figure. Zidane now faces the challenge of translating his club success to the international stage, sustaining France’s recent achievements while shaping a new era under his leadership.
