Zidane Set to Succeed Deschamps as France Coach After World Cup

Zinedine Zidane has agreed to become the next head coach of the French national team following the conclusion of the upcoming World Cup, according to ESPN. The former Real Madrid manager will take over from Didier Deschamps, who is expected to step down after the tournament.

The development, reported in Tuesday’s newspapers, ends months of speculation surrounding the 1998 World Cup winner’s future. Zidane, 51, has been out of management since leaving Real Madrid in 2021 but has long been linked with the France job.

Deschamps has been in charge of Les Bleus since 2012, guiding the team to the 2018 World Cup title and the final of the 2022 edition. No timeline for the transition was specified beyond the post-World Cup window.

Zidane, who captained France to victory on home soil 26 years ago, has never hidden his ambition to lead the national side. His appointment would mark a high-profile return to the dug-out and set up a new era for a squad brimming with talent.

The French Football Federation has yet to confirm the reports, but ESPN’s claim suggests an agreement in principle is already in place.