Zinedine Zidane to take over as France coach this summer

French soccer icon Zinedine Zidane ⁠has agreed to take over his national team's head coaching duties following this summer's FIFA ​World Cup, ‌ESPN reported Monday.

Zidane, ‌53, reportedly reached ​a verbal agreement with the Federation Francaise de Football ⁠to replace Didier Deschamps, who ⁠has held the role since 2012.

Zidane, who ​managed La Liga ⁠powerhouse Real Madrid for two stints in 2016-18 and 2019-21, ⁠has long ​been expected to ​eventually become the ​manager ‌for France.

As a player, the dynamic midfielder won the 1998 Ballon d'Or ‌and was a three- time FIFA World Player of the Year (1998, 2000 and ​2003). ​He helped France win the ​World Cup in ⁠1998 and finish second in 2006.

He was infamously sent off during the ​final of the latter World Cup when he headbutted Italy's Marco Materazzi in the chest.

Click here to read article