Zinedine Zidane is poised to become the next manager of the France national team, with the French Football Federation planning to announce his appointment as Didier Deschamps' successor next Tuesday, according to reports from L'Équipe. The legendary midfielder, who captained France to World Cup glory in 1998, will sign a four-year contract to lead Les Bleus following months of negotiations with Federation president Philippe Diallo.
Deschamps, who spent 14 years in charge of the national side, stepped down after guiding France to a fourth-place finish at the 2026 World Cup in North America. The Federation initially planned to honour the veteran coach with a special ceremony, though Deschamps declined a public tribute. An official press conference to unveil Zidane is expected to follow the announcement, though timing remains flexible as Federation staff work to finalise the details of the transition.
Rebuilding the Coaching Staff
Behind the scenes, significant restructuring is underway. The new backroom team will be completed during August, with several assistant coaches set to begin work in early September. This represents a sweeping overhaul from Deschamps' existing setup, signalling Zidane's intention to implement his own tactical vision and staff expertise from his decorated spell at club level.
Zidane's managerial pedigree is undeniable. At Real Madrid, he won three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018, cementing his status as one of football's elite tacticians. After departing the Spanish club in 2021, he received numerous lucrative offers but remained resolute in his pursuit of the France job—a role that represents the pinnacle of his managerial ambitions.
First Fixtures on the Horizon
Zidane will make his debut during the upcoming UEFA Nations League international break, with France facing four consecutive matches: Turkey (25 September), Belgium (28 September), Italy (2 October), and Belgium again (5 October). This demanding fixture list offers the new manager an immediate opportunity to establish his tactical philosophy and begin assembling the squad for future European and World Cup campaigns.
This is Zidane's first venture into international football management, a significant step that many believe he has been preparing for throughout his career. With his track record of winning silverware and his intimate knowledge of French football culture, his appointment marks a transformative moment for Les Bleus as they rebuild following their World Cup disappointment.
