Zinedine Zidane’s status as the favourite to become the next France manager has been enhanced by praise from the country’s FA president, who called Didier Deschamps’ decision to leave “responsible and elegant”.
Philippe Diallo said that Deschamps, who won the 1998 Fifa World Cup and Euro 2000 as a team-mate of Zidane, had informed him before Christmas that he will not be renewing his contract after the 2026 World Cup, by which time he will have held the role for 14 years.
“He is still as motivated and ready as ever to fly France’s flag high,” Diallo told L’Equipe. “But perhaps he felt that in, 2026, [his longevity as] the head of Les Bleus, which is, in itself, quite exceptional, [made it] time to move on.”
Didier Deschamps has been great for France, regardless of if 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 squad. And surely it will finally be Zidane’s turn next. pic.twitter.com/4ST1WIKIJb
— Julien Laurens (@LaurensJulien) January 7, 2025
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Zidane Real Madrid record
1998 Ballon d’Or winner Zidane has not managed since the second of his two spells with Real Madrid ended after 26 months in charge in 2021.
Having won the 2001/02 Champions League and 2002/03 Liga title as a player with the Spanish giants, Zidane won two Spanish titles and became a European champion in three consecutive seasons during his first spell as their manager, between 2019 and 2021.
“He is a landmark of French football who contributed to France jersey’s first star [as World Cup winners],” said Diallo, who would not elaborate on Zidane’s prospects of taking over because he “wants Didier to work in peace”.
“I have a lot of respect and admiration for one of the greatest players in the history of football. He had very high-quality results with Real Madrid, where he showed the extent of his talent.“
At the helm of Les Bleus since 2012, the greatest manager in French national team history will bow out after the 2026 World Cup 💙#FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/E2AHMb4v7v
— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) January 8, 2025
Deschamps: World Cup winner with France
A Champions League winner with Marseille and three-time Italian champion with Juventus, Deschamps reached the 2003/04 Champions League final with Monaco in his first managerial role before reigns 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 with a round of 16 exit at Euro 2020 but were only beaten by Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final, losing on penalties following a 3-3 draw.
The 56-year-old’s tactics were questioned after France lost to Spain in the semi-finals of Euro 2024, having scored only four goals across six games in Germany.
Deschamps and Zidane pic.twitter.com/2pueWKJfm2
— Former Footballers (@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 a life after this – I don’t know which one, but it will be very good, still.
“Fourteen years is a lot. The most important thing is for France to remain on top, like it has for several years.”
France are next in action in a two-legged Nations League quarter-final against Croatia in March.
