These legends who shone as players and international managers ✨

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·28 Juli 2026

These legends who shone as players and international managers ✨

As Zinédine Zidane has officially just been appointed head coach of the French national team, the 1998 world champion is preparing to take on one of the biggest challenges of his career.

By stepping into the role of Les Bleus manager, Zizou will aim to join an exclusive club: that of the giants who ruled football with the ball at their feet before imposing their expertise from the touchline.

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An overview of the legends who shone both as players and as national team managers.

1. Didier Deschamps 🇫🇷

The man of an absolute winning mentality. Before handing over to his former teammate, Deschamps will have embodied consistency and excellence at the highest world level for more than a decade.

On the pitch: The courageous captain of the 1998 generation, he was the first Frenchman to lift the World Cup before guiding Les Bleus to glory at Euro 2000.
On the bench: Appointed national team manager in 2012, he led France to the top of the world at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, won the 2021 Nations League, and took Les Bleus back to the World Cup final in 2022.

2. Franz Beckenbauer 🇩🇪

The embodiment of German class and leadership, the Kaiser reinvented the sweeper role before turning his vision of the game into tactical success with the Mannschaft.

On the pitch: The charismatic captain of West Germany and a two-time Ballon d'Or winner (1972, 1976), he won Euro 1972 and then the 1974 World Cup on home soil.
On the bench: As West Germany manager, he led his country to the 1986 World Cup final before claiming the ultimate prize at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, becoming the second man in history to be crowned both as a player and as a manager.

3. Mário Zagallo 🇧🇷

The Professor is the ultimate pioneer and the most decorated figure in World Cup history, single-handedly embodying the golden age of Brazilian football.

On the pitch : A tireless left winger and tactically far ahead of his time, he won two consecutive World Cups with Brazil in 1958 and 1962 alongside Pelé.
On the bench : In 1970, he took charge of the Seleção and orchestrated one of the greatest teams in football history to win the 1970 World Cup, before adding the 1997 Copa América to his honors.

Lionel Scaloni 🇦🇷

It is the most spectacular modern trajectory of the 21st century, going from a hardworking squad player to the architect of Argentina’s revival.

On the pitch: A combative right-back, he was crowned U20 world champion with Argentina in 1997 and played at the 2006 World Cup alongside a very young Lionel Messi.
On the bench : Appointed amid widespread skepticism after 2018, he built a new Albiceleste and achieved a historic treble: Copa América 2021, the 2022 World Cup, and Copa América 2024.

Dunga 🇧🇷

A tough defensive midfielder, Dunga embodies the Brazilian tactical discipline that made the difference at major continental and world tournaments.

On the pitch: Brazil’s iconic captain, he lifted the 1994 World Cup in the United States, as well as two Copa América titles (1989 and 1997).
On the bench : Appointed head of the Seleção in 2006, he imposed his discipline and won the 2007 Copa América (sweeping aside Argentina 3-0 in the final) as well as the 2009 Confederations Cup.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

📸 FRANCK FIFE - AFP or licensors