Zinedine Zidane's position as the most likely candidate to become the next coach of the France national team has been strengthened, thanks to the praise of the President of the English Football Association, who described Didier Deschamps' decision to leave as “responsible and elegant.”
Philippe Diallo said that Deschamps, who won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2000 as a teammate of Zidane, informed him before Christmas that he would join the team. His contract will not be renewed after the 2026 World CupBy that time he will have held this position for 14 years.
“He remains as motivated and ready as ever to raise the French flag high,” Diallo said. team. “But perhaps he felt that in 2026, (his longevity as France president), which is exceptional in itself, (made it) a time to move on.”
Didier Deschamps has been fantastic for France, regardless of whether we like his style of football or not. Leaving in 2026 is the right decision (and maybe two years too late) but let's see the impact on the team. It is certain that Zidane's turn will come eventually. pic.twitter.com/4ST1WIKIJb
-Julien Laurens (@LauriensJulien) January 7, 2025
Zidane's record at Real Madrid
Zidane, the 1998 Ballon d'Or winner, has not been able to train since his second spell with Real Madrid ended after 26 months in 2021.
After winning the 2001/02 Champions League and the 2002/03 Spanish League as a player with the Spanish giants, Zidane won two Spanish titles and became a European champion in three consecutive seasons during his first period as coach of the team, between 2019 and 2021.
“He is one of the landmarks of French football and contributed to the first star of the (World Cup winners) France jersey,” said Diallo, who did not provide details about Zidane’s prospects for taking charge 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 achieved high-quality results with Real Madrid, showing how talented he is.
At the helm of the French national team since 2012, the greatest coach in the history of the French national team will leave 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 a three-time Italian champion with Juventus, Deschamps reached the Champions League final in the 2003/04 season with Monaco in his first managerial role before coaching Juventus and Marseille.
Deschamps led France to the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the final of the 2016 European Championship on home soil, then went one better two years later by defeating Croatia 4-2 in the World Cup final.
France performed poorly after being eliminated in the round of 16 at Euro 2020, only losing to Lionel Messi's Argentina in the tournament. 2022 World Cup FinalThey lost on penalties after a 3-3 draw.
The 56-year-old's tactics were called into question after France lost to Spain in the Euro 2024 semi-finals, having scored just four goals in six matches in Germany.
Deschamps and Zidane pic.twitter.com/2pueWKJfm2
– Former football players (@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's life after that—I don't know which one, but it'll be very good, all the same.
“Fourteen years is a lot. The most important thing is for France to stay on top, as it has done for several years.”
France will next play in the European Nations League quarter-finals against Croatia in March.
