Zinedine Zidane was appointed France coach on Tuesday, as widely expected, following the departure of Didier Deschamps, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced.

Zidane, 54, had long been viewed as the leading candidate for the role and had been waiting for an opportunity to take charge of the national team for several years.

Zinedine Zidane was appointed France coach on Tuesday, as widely expected, following the departure of Didier Deschamps, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced.

France's new coach will be announced next Tuesday, when Zinedine Zidane is widely expected to replace Didier Deschamps.

Luca Zidane opted to represent Algeria, the country of his grandfather's birth, and kept a cleansheet in a 3-0 win over Sudan.

Captain Riyad Mahrez scored in each half as 2019 champions Algeria eased to a 3-0 win over 10-man Sudan in their opening game at the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday.

The 53-year-old is the favourite to take over the France job from Didier Deschamps when the 2018 World Cup-winning coach steps down after the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Luca Zidane switched his international allegiance from France to Algeria last month, after representing Les Bleus at youth levels.

Zinedine Zidane, widely tipped in France to take over as national coach after the 2026 World Cup, said the job would be "a dream" and that he was "looking forward" to taking it.

Although called the 'Beautiful game', football often has seen ugly scenes