New Delhi, July 28 -- PARIS - Zinedine Zidane said Tuesday he could have had a shorter contract with the French federation years ago. He did not want one. "Deschamps was there," Zidane said at his introductory press conference, "and the very next day I knew I wanted to be the next one." Five years after leaving Real Madrid, the day arrived.

The French Football Federation confirmed Zidane, 54, as France's head coach Tuesday, signing him to a four-year deal running through the 2030 World Cup. Al Jazeera reported the appointment ends a calculated waiting period - Zidane declined club positions across European leagues over five years, holding out specifically for this role - and formalizes a handover from Didier Deschamps that the FFF had be...