What a Zidane pick to coach France means in post-Deschamps era
After the loss in the semifinals, French-Algerian football star Zinedine Zidane will replace the retiring Didier Deschamps as coach of Les Bleus.
PARIS — French-Algerian football legend Zinedine Zidane is expected to become the next manager of France's national football team, with reports saying a verbal agreement has been reached and that only contract details remain before an official announcement.
ESPN first reported in March that Zidane was expected to succeed Didier Deschamps. Le Figaro reported Thursday that an official announcement is expected this month.
The current national team manager, Didier Deschamps, confirmed in 2025 that he would step down after the 2026 World Cup. Deschamps has coached the French national team, Les Bleus, for 14 years, and the deflating 2-0 semifinal defeat to Spain on Wednesday has intensified discussion about his imminent departure and prompted extensive commentary on the loss.
Speaking to the M6 TV channel, French team captain Kylian Mbappé said, "We didn't play the game we wanted to play, either tactically or technically. When you don't do what you're supposed to do in a World Cup semifinal, you don't win." With the semifinal loss, France will now face England on Sunday in the third-place match.
Zidane would take over one of the world's most talented squads, but also one carrying the expectations created by Deschamps' decade-long run of sustained success. Since taking charge in 2012, Deschamps has led Les Bleus to the 2018 FIFA World Cup title, the 2021 UEFA Nations League crown and a runner-up finish at the 2022 World Cup. France also reached the Euro 2016 final under his leadership, making it to four major tournament finals in six years.
Who is Zinedine Zidane?
Born in the southern French city of Marseille to Algerian immigrant parents, Zidane, 53, is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. Between 1989 and 2006, he played for AS Cannes and FC Girondins de Bordeaux in France before advancing to Juventus FC (Serie A) in Italy and Real Madrid CF (La Liga) in Spain, where he ended his playing career.
Renowned for his elegant playing style, exceptional passing ability, and outstanding ball control, Zidane, nicknamed "Zizou," received numerous individual honors, including being named FIFA World Player of the Year three times, in 1998, 2000 and 2003. In 1998, after leading France to its first World Cup title with a victory over Brazil, he won the Ballon d'Or, the award presented by the magazine France Football to the best player of the year. The World Cup triumph, accomplished with Deschamps as captain, made Zidane a national hero and led to France bestowing him with its highest distinction, the Legion of Honour, later in the year.
After retiring as a player, Zidane returned to the pitch for two stints as head coach of Real Madrid, in 2016–18 and again in 2019–21, leading the club to multiple domestic and international titles. His teams won every final they reached, and Zidane became the first manager to win three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles, in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Under his leadership, Real Madrid also won two UEFA Super Cups (2016 and 2017), two FIFA Club World Cups (2016 and 2018), the 2016-17 La Liga title.
Unlike many of football's top coaches, Zidane has never been tied to a single tactical philosophy. Instead, he has built his reputation on adapting his approach to the strengths of his squad and the demands of opposing teams, while earning praise for his calm leadership and ability to united dressing rooms of elite players.
Those qualities could prove particularly valuable with the French team, which is regarded as one of the deepest and most talented in international football.
Algerian origins
Zidane grew up in the multicultural neighborhood of La Castellane in Marseille and has often spoken about his attachment to his parents’ homeland. Speaking to TV5Monde in 2010, Zidane said that while his father traveled frequently to Algeria over the years, he himself had been unable to visit because his status as an international football star would attract too much attention.
“This blend of my origins and my life in France is amazing,” Zidane said. “I think this combination of my heritage and my life in France is what enriches you.” He added, “It might be a little difficult these days to visit Algeria anonymously, but my heart is there. I can feel their pride. Algeria has been a great source of support to me throughout my career.”
Zidane’s second son, Luca, is a professional footballer currently playing for Granada CF (La Liga) in Spain. Since 2025, Luca has also been registered with the Algerian Football Federation and represents Algeria’s national team, including in this year's World Cup.
