Zinedine Zidane’s status as favorite to become France’s next coach has been boosted by praise from the president of the French Football Federation, who called Didier Deschamps’ decision to leave “responsible and elegant “.
Philippe Diallo said Deschamps, who won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2000 as Zidane’s teammate, informed him before Christmas that he would not renew his contract after the 2026 World Cup , date on which he will have been the holder. the role for 14 years.
“He is as motivated as ever and ready to fly the flag of France high,” Diallo said. The Team. “But perhaps he felt that in 2026, [his longevity as] the head of the Blues, which is in itself quite exceptional, [made it] it’s time to move on.
Didier Deschamps has been great for France, whether we like his style of football or not. Leaving in 2026 is the right decision (maybe even two years too late) but let’s see the impact it will have on the team. And it will surely finally be Zidane’s turn. pic.twitter.com/4ST1WIKIJb
– Julien Laurens (@LaurensJulien) January 7, 2025
Zidane’s record at Real Madrid
Zidane, winner of the 1998 Ballon d’Or, has failed to do so since ending the second of his two spells with Real Madrid after 26 months in charge in 2021.
After winning the 2001/02 Champions League and 2002/03 La Liga as a player with the Spanish giants, Zidane won two Spanish titles and became European champions for three consecutive seasons during his first tenure as coach, between 2019 and 2021.
“He is an emblematic figure of French football who contributed to the first star of the France jersey. [as World Cup winners]”, said Diallo, who did not want to expand on Zidane’s prospects because he “wants Didier to work in peace”.
“I have great respect and admiration for one of the greatest players in the history of football. He achieved very high quality results with Real Madrid, where he showed the extent of his talent.
At the head of the Blues since 2012, the greatest coach in the history of the France team will bow out after the 2026 World Cup 💙#ProudtobeBlue pic.twitter.com/E2AHMb4v7v
— French Team ⭐⭐ (@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 final with Monaco in his first coaching role before reigning at Juventus and Marseille.
Deschamps led France to the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the Euro 2016 final on home soil, going one better two years later by beating Croatia 4-2 in the World Cup final .
France underperformed with a round of 16 elimination at Euro 2020, but were only beaten by Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina in 2022 World Cup Finallosing on penalties after a 3-3 draw.
The 56-year-old’s tactics were called into question following France’s defeat 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 Footballers (@FinishedPlayers) January 7, 2025
“Know when to stop” – Deschamps
“You never want something good to end, but you have to know how to stop,” Deschamps told TF1. “There is life after this – I don’t know what it is, but it will still be very good.
“Fourteen years is a long time. The most important thing is that France remains at the top, as it has done for several years.”
France will be next in action in a two-legged Nations League quarter-final against Croatia in March.
