France manager Didier Deschamps has said former Bleus team-mate Zinedine Zidane may not want to succeed him if the favourite for the vacancy when his contract expires after the 2026 World Cup is offered the job.
Ex-Real Madrid manager Zidane is admired by French FA president Philippe Diallo and has been backed in public polls to take over when Deschamps’ reign comes to an end after 14 years.
“Zidane is an excellent candidate for the role of coach of the French national team – a natural choice and, I would add, a predictable one,” Deschamps told L’Equipe.
“But I am not sure if he would want it. The last time we saw each other was in the summer of 2023, and we are set to meet again next summer. We have a great respect for one another.”
View this post on Instagram
📰 Table Of Contents
Zidane record: A France ‘landmark’
France legend and 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],” Diallo told the newspaper in January.
“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.”
View this post on Instagram
Deschamps and Zidane: World Cup and Euro winners
Deschamps and Zidane were part of France’s midfield when they won the 1998 Fifa World Cup and Euro 2000, while ‘Zizou’ went on to reach the 2006 World Cup final with his country.
As manager, 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 Euro 2024 semi-finalists are next in action away to Croatia in the first leg of their Nations League quarter-final on March 20 (7.45pm GMT).
