High-level French press reports have revealed serious and concrete moves by the French Football Federation to assign the task of coaching the national team to the legend Zinedine Zidane, after the end of the 2026 World Cup tournament scheduled to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Behind the scenes of the secret negotiations and the succession plan
According to the widely circulated French newspaper L'Équipe, Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, has already begun secret contact with the former Real Madrid manager. This move comes ahead of events, and despite the announced decision to postpone official discussions about Didier Deschamps' successor until after the upcoming World Cup, the Federation is seeking to secure an agreement early to ensure the stability of the French national team's future.
Information indicates that the discussions were not limited to initial approval, but extended to include the features of the expanded technical staff that will accompany “Zizou” in his national mission, reflecting the seriousness of both parties in completing this huge sporting project.
The end of the Deschamps era
This move comes in light of the prior knowledge that Didier Deschamps, who led France to the 2018 World Cup title and the runner-up position in the 2022 World Cup, will bring the curtain down on his long career with the national team at the end of his contract in 2026. Deschamps has succeeded over more than a decade in establishing unprecedented technical stability for French football, which makes the task of his successor require a name of the weight and stature of Zinedine Zidane to maintain these gains.
Zidane... the rightful heir and the long wait
Zinedine Zidane is seen in international and French sporting circles as the "legitimate heir" to the French national team coaching position. Since leaving Real Madrid after his second stint, Zidane has been linked with several major clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United, but he has chosen to stay away from coaching, clearly indicating his strong desire to lead his country's national team.
Zidane has a spotless coaching record that makes him the ideal candidate for this task, having achieved an unprecedented historical feat by winning the Champions League title three times in a row with Real Madrid, in addition to his superior ability to manage star-studded dressing rooms, which is a key advantage needed by the coach of the French national team, which includes an elite group of the world’s best players.
French fans' aspirations
Zidane taking over as national team coach is a dream for millions of French football fans, who see him as the natural successor to the golden generation of 1998. His appointment, should it be officially finalized after the 2026 World Cup, is expected to generate a massive media and public buzz, given his undeniable charisma and his football philosophy that combines tactical discipline with aesthetically pleasing play.
