Zidane steps in as France boss while neighbours appoint Xavi and Klopp

In the modest Kocaelispor stadium outside Istanbul, a crowd of almost 35,000 gathered to witness Zinédine Zidane, 54, take charge of the French national side for the first time since 2012. The ceremony marked the start of a new coaching era for France, coinciding with fresh appointments in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium.

New faces across Europe

Netherlands fans will now watch Xavi guide their team, while Germany has turned to Jürgen Klopp as its new head coach. In Belgium, former Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel begins his tenure, bringing a Dutch‑style influence to the Belgian setup.

All four appointments were announced this week, underscoring a continent‑wide shift in football leadership as major nations seek fresh direction.

Zidane’s enigmatic start

Zidane’s appointment follows a five‑year absence from the public eye after a glittering spell at Real Madrid, where he secured three consecutive Champions League titles. Today, he begins his second managerial role, this time as the head of the French national team, known locally as the "Bondscoach".

His first training session was captured on video, showing the former Real Madrid star joining drills alongside his players. Defender Maxence Lacroix admitted, "I’m a bit extra tense after a pass from him, I have to receive the ball well."

Zinédine Zidane regains confidence in Istanbul despite Juventus crisis

Fans gathered outside the French federation’s headquarters in Paris, waving flags, setting off fireworks and playing music, eager for the first match of this new era. The appointment also makes Zidane the first French national coach with North‑African roots.

Former Dutch international Édouard Duplan, who holds the record for Eredivisie appearances, expressed cautious optimism from his home in Utrecht. "I’m furious excited," he said, adding that Zidane remains a "rather mysterious figure" and that "no one really knows what kind of football he wants to play".

Duplan reflected on the Deschamps era, noting that while the former coach “won a lot” by leaning back, France now seeks a distinct identity. He hopes Zidane can craft a style that mirrors the clarity of Spanish football, saying, "France has lacked a true football identity in recent years; I hope Zidane can develop his own and be given time."

Zidane launches the Blues far from Istanbul, in Izmit for the League

With a generation that includes Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise, Zidane inherits a talent pool comparable to his Real Madrid squads. French federation chairman Philippe Diallo praised the appointment, stating, "We wanted someone with aura who could win the hearts of our fans; coaching France has always been one of his dreams."