Zlatan Ibrahimovic has publicly endorsed Zinedine Zidane as the ideal successor to Didier Deschamps at the helm of the French national team following their devastating 2-0 semi-final defeat to Spain. Speaking as a consultant for Fox Sports, the legendary Swedish striker delivered a candid assessment of what France's leadership must prioritize in the coming years.
The Bleus' World Cup campaign ended in heartbreak when Spain proved too composed and clinical in their last-four clash. Ibrahimovic, who spent four seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, pinpointed the difference between the two sides: intensity and tactical adaptability. "I felt today that the French players were not 'alive,' they were not active," he observed. "Spain was the better team." The match saw Lamine Yamal awarded a penalty that led to Spain's opening goal, a decision that drew criticism from Deschamps in the post-match analysis.
The Case for Zidane
Ibrahimovic made a crucial distinction when evaluating Zidane's suitability for the role. Rather than dismissing Deschamps' 14-year tenure—during which he secured a World Cup trophy and a Nations League title—the Swede argued that France requires a manager more than a coach. "This team doesn't need a coach. They need a manager," he stated emphatically. Zidane's credentials at club level are formidable: three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid between 2016 and 2018, plus additional major trophies across two separate spells with the Spanish giants.
What makes Zidane's potential appointment significant is his proven ability to elevate elite talent under pressure. Unlike coaches focused purely on tactical instruction, managers orchestrate the emotional and psychological dimension of high-performing teams. Ibrahimovic acknowledged that Zidane has the raw material to work with—France's squad boasts world-class players across every position. The challenge lies in unlocking their collective potential during crucial moments, something Zidane achieved consistently at club level.
Lessons from the Spanish Performance
The defeat exposed gaps in France's in-game management. Ibrahimovic highlighted the difficulty of reading momentum shifts and knowing precisely when to inject fresh tactical approaches: "That's the difficult part for a coach and that's why they're coaches or managers. They have to find and know the timing of things, when to change." Spain's ability to control the rhythm while France appeared passive demonstrated a gulf in execution that transcends individual talent.
Despite his criticism, Ibrahimovic offered measured praise for Deschamps' accomplishments. Reaching two World Cup finals and one Euro final in a single tournament cycle represents remarkable consistency. "There are few incredible players who have also been incredible coaches," Ibrahimovic noted, acknowledging the distinction between playing greatness and managerial success. Zidane falls into that rare category—a former player who achieved total dominance both on and off the pitch. As France prepares to reshape its coaching structure, the appointment of a manager with Zidane's championship pedigree could prove decisive in their quest to reclaim world supremacy.
