Zidane Poised for French National Team Helm Post-World Cup
Speculation is rife that legendary French footballer and former Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, is on the cusp of returning to the dugout, with reports suggesting a verbal agreement is in place for him to take the reins of the French national team following the upcoming World Cup. This move would mark a significant chapter for the 53-year-old, who has been conspicuously absent from club management since departing the Santiago Bernabéu in 2021 after his second tenure with Los Blancos.
Zidane, a revered figure in both French and international football, has reportedly harboured ambitions of managing Les Bleus for a considerable period. However, his path to the top job was previously blocked by his former teammate Didier Deschamps, who has held the position with considerable success since 2012. Deschamps, a World Cup winner as both a player and a manager, has overseen a period of sustained achievement for the French side, including a Nations League title in 2021 and a runner-up finish at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The landscape for the French national team’s leadership is set to shift in early 2025. Didier Deschamps, at 57, has announced his intention to step down after guiding the team through the 2026 North American tournament. This impending vacancy appears to have opened the door for Zidane, who, according to renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano, has reached a verbal understanding to assume the managerial role. This agreement is reportedly timed to coincide with the qualification campaign for the 2028 European Championship, though no formal contracts have yet been inked.
Zidane’s managerial career to date has been exclusively tied to Real Madrid, the only club he has managed since beginning his coaching journey as Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant in 2013. His two spells at the helm of the Spanish giants were nothing short of spectacular, yielding an impressive haul of silverware. His trophy cabinet boasts:
- Two LaLiga titles
- Three UEFA Champions League crowns
- Two Spanish Super Cups
Since parting ways with Real Madrid, Zidane has been a sought-after commodity in the football world. Prominent clubs such as Manchester United and Chelsea have reportedly expressed keen interest in securing his services. However, Zidane has consistently held out, demonstrating a clear preference for the national team role, a position he has openly coveted.
His desire to manage the French national team was reiterated as recently as last October during an appearance at the Festivo dello Sport in Trento. At the event, Zidane candidly stated his intention to return to coaching, remarking, “Without a doubt, I will return to coaching.” He also touched upon his past links with Juventus, expressing a lingering affection for the Italian club and acknowledging that a move there hadn’t materialised, leaving the door open to future possibilities. However, he unequivocally reaffirmed his primary objective: “But one of my goals is to coach the French national team. We’ll see.”
This potential appointment marks a full-circle moment for Zidane, who, as a player, was instrumental in France’s iconic 1998 World Cup triumph. His return to a position of leadership within French football, this time from the dugout, is anticipated with immense excitement by fans and pundits alike, eager to see if he can replicate his playing and club management success on the international stage. The coming months will undoubtedly be closely watched as the formalisation of this highly anticipated managerial transition unfolds.
