[b]Zinédine Zidane[/b], one of football’s most celebrated icons, has been reported as the leading candidate to succeed [b]Didier Deschamps[/b] as the manager of the French national team. This development comes from reports by respected French media outlets L’Equipe and Le Parisien, which highlight Zidane’s potential return to the international football stage in a managerial capacity.
The 52-year-old Zidane, who has been without a managerial role since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, is now closer than ever to fulfilling one of his lifelong ambitions: leading Les Bleus, the French national team. Zidane’s exit from Real Madrid, where he enjoyed remarkable success as a manager, left fans wondering about his next move, and many speculated that he was waiting for an opportunity to take over the French team.
Current France manager Didier Deschamps recently confirmed his intention to step down from his role after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This announcement has effectively cleared the way for Zidane to potentially step into the position and begin a new chapter in his illustrious football career.
Zidane has always been vocal about his deep connection to the French national team. In a 2022 interview with L’Equipe, the football legend made his aspirations clear, stating:
“With France, it’s not over. Of course, I want it. I hope I’ll be there one day. When? It’s not up to me. But I want to close the loop with France. Playing for France is the best thing that happened to me.”
Zidane’s respect for Didier Deschamps, who was both his teammate at Juventus and in the French national team, has been evident throughout his career. Out of admiration and regard for Deschamps’ achievements as France’s manager, Zidane refrained from openly lobbying for the role while Deschamps was still in charge.
Now, with Deschamps set to exit after the 2026 World Cup, Zidane is widely regarded as the preferred candidate to take over. Reports suggest that Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation (FFF), strongly supports Zidane’s appointment. Diallo sees Zidane as the ideal figure to not only boost the team’s international popularity but also maintain its competitive dominance in global football.
While other notable names, such as Thierry Henry, have been mentioned as potential candidates for the role, Zidane remains the frontrunner. His unparalleled achievements as a player and manager, combined with his enduring popularity among French fans, make him the standout choice for the position.
If appointed, Zidane’s tenure as France’s manager would mark a new era for Les Bleus, as the team seeks to continue its legacy of success under the guidance of one of the sport’s most iconic figures.
