Zinedine Zidane’s position as the favorite to become France’s next manager has been boosted by praise from the country’s FA president, who described Didier Deschamps’ decision to leave as “responsible and elegant”.
Philippe Diallo said Deschamps, who won the 1998 Fifa World Cup and Euro 2000 as Zidane’s team-mate, had informed him before Christmas that will not renew his contract after the 2026 World Cupby then he would have held the role for 14 years.
“He is still as motivated and ready as ever to keep the French flag high,” Diallo said The Team. “But perhaps he felt that in 2026 (his longevity as) head of Les Bleus, which is, in itself, quite extraordinary, (made) it time to move on.”
Didier Deschamps has been great for France, whether we like his style of football or not. Leaving in 2026 is the right decision (maybe even two years too late), but let’s see the impact it will have on the team. And surely it will finally be Zidane’s turn next. pic.twitter.com/4ST1WIKIJb
— Julien Laurens (@LaurensJulien) January 7, 2025
Record Zidane Real Madrid
1998 Ballon d’Or winner Zidane has been out since the second of his two spells at Real Madrid ended after 26 months in charge in 2021.
Having won the 2001/02 Champions League and the 2002/03 Liga title as a player with the Spanish giants, Zidane won two Spanish titles and became European champions in three consecutive seasons during his first spell as their manager, between 2019 and 2021 .
“It’s a milestone in French football that has contributed to the first star in France’s jersey (as World Cup winners),” said Diallo, who would not elaborate on Zidane’s prospects of taking over because “Didier wants to work with peace”.
“I have a lot of respect and admiration for one of the greatest players in the history of football. He had very good results with Real Madrid, where he showed the extent of his talent.”
At the helm of Les Bleus since 2012, the longest-serving coach in the history of the French national team will bow out after the 2026 World Cup 💙#FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/E2AHMb4v7v
— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) January 8, 2025
Deschamps: World Cup with France
A Champions League winner with Marseille and a three-time Italian champion with Juventus, Deschamps reached the 2003/04 Champions League final with Monaco in his first managerial role before reigning at Juventus and Marseille.
Deschamps led France to the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the final of Euro 2016 on home soil, going one better two years later by beating Croatia 4-2 in the World Cup final.
France underperformed in their last 16 exit at Euro 2020, only to be beaten by a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina. 2022 World Cup Finallosing on penalties after a 3-3 draw.
The 56-year-old’s tactics have been questioned since France’s defeat by Spain in the Euro 2024 semi-finals, having scored just four goals in six games in Germany.
Deschamps and Zidane pic.twitter.com/2pueWKJfm2
— Finished Players (@FinishedPlayers) January 7, 2025
“Know when to stop” – Deschamps
“You never want something good to end, but you have to know when to stop,” Deschamps told TF1. “There is life after this – I don’t know what it is, but it will be very good, still.
“Fourteen years is a long time. The most important thing is that France remains at the top, as it has done for several years.”
France are next in action in the Nations League quarter-final against Croatia in March.
