Zinedine Zidane, the new coach of the French national team, confirmed that he received many offers but rejected them all while waiting to coach the Roosters.
The French Football Federation announced on Tuesday the appointment of legend Zinedine Zidane as technical director of the French national team, succeeding Didier Deschamps.
Zidane said at his presentation press conference: "I received many offers over the past years and rejected them all in order to coach the French national team.. Nothing is greater than the French national team".
The 54-year-old added, "After Real Madrid, I wanted only one job, which is to coach the French national team".
The 1998 World Cup winner added, "I thank the French Federation and the Executive Committee for their confidence in me".
He continued, "I am fortunate to coach this team, and I will work to continue achieving successes with it".
Zidane stressed, "I will give everything I have, and I am very excited to start the actual work".
He continued, "My greetings to Didier Deschamps and I thank him for everything he has done for the French national team".
Zinedine Zidane, who has been away from coaching since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, has returned to the coaching world through the French national team.
Zidane signed a four-year contract with the Roosters' national team, to remain in his position at least until the 2030 World Cup.
Zidane will play his first match at the helm of the French national team's technical staff away from home against Turkey, in late September, as part of the 2026-2027 UEFA Nations League competitions.
Deschamps played his last match at the helm of the French national team's technical staff when he lost to England in the third-place match at the World Cup a few days ago.
Deschamps took over coaching the French national team in 2012, succeeding former coach Laurent Blanc.
Deschamps led the French national team at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, then won the World Cup in 2018 in Russia, and reached the final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
In the middle of his career with France, he led the Roosters to win the European Nations Cup League title in 2021.
He also lost the Euro 2016 final to Portugal.
As for Zidane, he coached Real Madrid Castilla and served as assistant coach for Real Madrid before taking charge as the first man in two periods.
Zidane won 3 UEFA Champions League titles, and two titles each in the Spanish League, the European Super Cup, the Club World Cup, and the Spanish Super Cup.
Zidane also won the Best Coach in the World award twice.
