Zinedine Zidane set to take over as France manager
Zinedine Zidane has reportedly struck a verbal agreement with the French Football Federation to assume command of Les Bleus once Didier Deschamps departs following the 2026 World Cup, reports BritPanorama.
Multiple outlets, including ESPN, have confirmed that the legendary former midfielder is set to take the helm of his national side. The 53-year-old, who claimed three consecutive Champions League trophies during his time at Real Madrid, will finally realise his long-held ambition of managing France.
Negotiations between Zidane and the FFF have reportedly reached a successful conclusion, with Zidane having been the frontrunner for the position for several months. FFF president Philippe Diallo has now publicly acknowledged that the succession plan is firmly in place.
Speaking to Le Figaro, Diallo confirmed, “Yes, I know his name.” When pressed specifically about whether Zidane was the chosen candidate, Diallo offered only a knowing smile and responded, “I invite you to come back after the World Cup.” The president has been careful not to overshadow Deschamps’ preparations for the tournament in North America, preferring to keep the finer details confidential until the current manager’s tenure concludes.
An official announcement is therefore unlikely before Les Bleus depart for the United States. Diallo has emphasised the exacting standards required for the position, noting that the France national team ranks among the finest in world football and cannot be entrusted to just anyone.
“It takes a profile that ticks many boxes and which can also be the subject of support from the French people, since this French football team is the team of the French people,” he explained. The FFF chief revealed that fewer than five candidates had put themselves forward for consideration, all of whom were French nationals. Diallo remarked that the role is one that “not everyone can pilot.”
Zidane has remained without a managerial post since concluding his second spell at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2021, having reportedly turned down numerous lucrative approaches from elite European clubs and national federations. The former World Cup winner was determined to wait for Deschamps to step aside before accepting any new role.
One outstanding matter concerns the composition of Zidane’s backroom team, with reports suggesting he wishes to operate with a larger technical staff than the current setup. David Bettoni is expected to lead this expanded coaching group, a detail that proved central to negotiations with the federation.
In the world of football, the narrative around Zidane’s impending appointment underscores the deep connection between a nation’s team and its history, reminding us that transitions in football management are seldom strictly administrative. The question now is not just how he will lead, but how the legacy of those before him will shape the team moving forward.
