Zinedine Zidane’s standing because the favorite to turn into the subsequent France supervisor has been enhanced by reward from the nation’s FA president, who known as Didier Deschamps’ choice to go away “accountable and chic”.
Philippe Diallo stated that Deschamps, who received the 1998 Fifa World Cup and Euro 2000 as a team-mate of Zidane, had knowledgeable him earlier than Christmas that he won’t be renewing his contract after the 2026 World Cup, by which period he can have held the position for 14 years.
“He’s nonetheless as motivated and prepared as ever to fly France’s flag excessive,” Diallo informed L’Equipe. “However maybe he felt that in, 2026, [his longevity as] the top of Les Bleus, which is, in itself, fairly distinctive, [made it] time to maneuver on.”
Didier Deschamps has been nice for France, no matter if we like his model of soccer or not. Leaving in 2026 is the suitable choice (perhaps even two years too late) however let’s see the affect it’ll have on the squad. And certainly it’ll lastly be Zidane’s flip subsequent. pic.twitter.com/4ST1WIKIJb
— Julien Laurens (@LaurensJulien) January 7, 2025
Zidane Actual Madrid file
1998 Ballon d’Or winner Zidane has not managed because the second of his two spells with Actual Madrid ended after 26 months in cost in 2021.
Having received the 2001/02 Champions League and 2002/03 Liga title as a participant with the Spanish giants, Zidane received two Spanish titles and have become a European champion in three consecutive seasons throughout his first spell as their supervisor, between 2019 and 2021.
“He’s a landmark of French soccer who contributed to France jersey’s first star [as World Cup winners],” stated Diallo, who wouldn’t elaborate on Zidane’s prospects of taking on as a result of he “needs Didier to work in peace”.
“I’ve numerous respect and admiration for one of many best gamers within the historical past of soccer. He had very high-quality outcomes with Actual Madrid, the place he confirmed the extent of his expertise.“
On the helm of Les Bleus since 2012, the best supervisor in French nationwide workforce historical past will bow out after the 2026 World Cup 💙#FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/E2AHMb4v7v
— French Staff ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) January 8, 2025
Deschamps: World Cup winner with France
A Champions League winner with Marseille and three-time Italian champion with Juventus, Deschamps reached the 2003/04 Champions League ultimate with Monaco in his first managerial position earlier than reigns at Juventus and Marseille.
Deschamps led France to the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the ultimate of Euro 2016 on dwelling soil, going one higher two years later by beating Croatia 4-2 within the World Cup ultimate.
France underperformed with a spherical of 16 exit at Euro 2020 however had been solely crushed by Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina within the 2022 World Cup ultimate, dropping on penalties following a 3-3 draw.
The 56-year-old’s ways had been questioned after France misplaced to Spain within the semi-finals of Euro 2024, having scored solely 4 objectives throughout six video games in Germany.
Deschamps and Zidane pic.twitter.com/2pueWKJfm2
— Former Footballers (@FinishedPlayers) January 7, 2025
‘Know when to cease’ – Deschamps
“You by no means need one thing good to finish, however you need to know when to cease,” Deschamps informed TF1. “There’s a life after this – I don’t know which one, however it is going to be superb, nonetheless.
“Fourteen years is loads. An important factor is for France to stay on high, prefer it has for a number of years.”
France are subsequent in motion in a two-legged Nations League quarter-final in opposition to Croatia in March.