It's an open secret, butZinedine Zidane is closer than ever to the job of manager of the French national team. The French Football Federation plans to finalize and sign all official documents with the former Real Madrid coach after the 2026 World Cup.
A verbal agreement already exists between Zinedine Zidane and the French Football Federation (FFF). No contract has yet been officially signed, and no appointment has been announced by the Federation. The final formalities must be completed once the competition is over, in order to respect the end of Zidane's term. Didier Deschamps.
Zidane waited for the national team coach position
Free since leaving Real Madrid in May 2021, Zinedine Zidane has not accepted any new coaching positions. In recent months, the French manager has not considered any other projects, his priority being to take charge of the French national team. The former number 10 has never hidden his desire to become national team coach. This prospect was postponed after Didier Deschamps extended his contract until 2026, following France's appearance in the 2022 World Cup final. Zidane then chose to remain available while awaiting his former teammate's departure.
Didier Deschamps still has to play his last match
France's 2-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup semi-final ended Les Bleus' title hopes. Didier Deschamps' tenure, however, is not yet over. France will play the third-place match on Saturday, July 18, against the loser of the other semi-final. This match will be Deschamps' last in charge of the national team. The coach announced in January 2025 that he would step down after the 2026 World Cup, regardless of the tournament's performance. His departure will bring to a close his 14-year tenure. Appointed in July 2012, Didier Deschamps led France to the World Cup title in 2018, to victory in the Nations League in 2021, to the final of Euro 2016 and to that of the 2022 World Cup. He will also have taken Les Bleus to the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup.
Zidane's first experience managing a national team
Zinedine Zidane is preparing to manage a national team for the first time. His coaching career has so far been spent exclusively at Real Madrid, where he worked with the reserve team before taking charge of the first team in January 2016. During his two stints at the helm of Real Madrid, he won three consecutive Champions League titles (2016, 2017, and 2018), two La Liga titles, two Club World Cups, two UEFA Super Cups, and two Spanish Super Cups. He left the club initially in 2018, before returning in March 2019 and then departing permanently in 2021.
His appointment is expected before the upcoming matches of the French national team.
Once his appointment is official, Zinédine Zidane will have to quickly prepare for the next French national team gathering. Les Bleus will resume international competition in September with the Nations League. The composition of his coaching staff and the exact duration of his contract have not yet been officially announced. The final details must be settled with the French Football Federation (FFF) after the conclusion of the World Cup. Barring any unforeseen circumstances during the signing process, Zinédine Zidane will succeed Didier Deschamps and become the new manager of the French national team.
