French football legend Zinedine Zidane has agreed to take over as head coach of the national team following this summer's FIFA World Cup. ESPN reported on Monday that the 53-year-old Zidane has reached a verbal agreement with the French Football Federation.

Zidane, an experienced manager who led Real Madrid in two stints (2016-18, 2019-21), has long been anticipated to eventually assume the role of France's head coach. He will replace Didier Deschamps, who has held the position since 2012.

As a player, Zidane won the Ballon d'Or in 1998 and was named FIFA World Player of the Year three times (1998, 2000, 2003). He helped France win the World Cup in 1998 and finish as runners-up in 2006, though he is also infamous for being sent off in the 2006 final after head-butting Italy's Marco Materazzi in the chest.

Source: www.aljazeera.com