France, Zidane set to take the reins: ready to succeed Deschamps | OneFootball

The World Cup is yet to be played, but in France, the future seems already written. After more than ten years at the helm of the national team, Didier Deschamps will leave the bench at the end of the next World Cup.

France, the future is Zidane: ready to take over Deschamps' legacy

Indeed, Zinedine Zidane, a legend of French football and one of the most successful coaches of recent decades, is ready to take his place.

Deschamps' announced farewell

Deschamps made his decision known last January: the 2026 World Cup will be the last chapter of his adventure with the Bleus. A natural choice, coming at the end of an extraordinary cycle, which saw him lead France to world triumph in 2018 and to the final of Euro 2016, as well as consistently being at the top of international football.

Zidane, the dream becomes reality

According to L’Équipe, Zinedine Zidane's name is not only the main candidate, but in fact the designated heir. After leaving Real Madrid in 2021, the former number 10 has not coached again, but has always reiterated his dream: "Coaching the French national team would be an honor," he declared a few months ago at a public event.

Recently, Zidane has also sought advice from Laurent Blanc, former coach and world champion in 1998, to prepare for a role that is not only technical but also institutional. "He gets more information than he seeks. He knows that players dream of working with him," a friend confided to the French newspaper.

The stance of the Football Federation

The president of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo, has preferred to maintain a cautious tone, emphasizing the desire to ensure Deschamps the utmost serenity ahead of the World Cup. However, it is clear that the federation wants to be ready for the change of technical leadership, entrusting the team to a symbol loved by the public and respected by the players.

A historic passing of the baton

If all goes as planned, Zinedine Zidane will become the coach of France in a year's time. For him, a 1998 world champion and a protagonist in the history of football with the Bleus jersey, it would be the culmination of an ideal journey: to bring back to the bench the same magic he had given as a player.

France, once again, will rely on its number 10. This time not on the field, but from the bench.

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