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 (2016-18, 2019-21), ​has long been expected to ​eventually become the skipper 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 2006 ​World Cup when he headbutted Italy’s Marco ​Materazzi in the chest.

-Reuters

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