France are set to usher in a new era after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with legendary midfielder Zinedine Zidane poised to take over as the national team’s next head coach following Didier Deschamps’ departure.
Several French media outlets have reported that Zidane, who has been out of management since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, has agreed to become the next France boss.
The move finally fulfils one of football’s longest-running expectations, with the 1998 World Cup winner consistently linked to the role for years.
Zidane Reportedly Agrees To Long-Term France Contract
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Zidane has already signed a long-term contract with the French Football Federation (FFF). Romano reported that a verbal agreement between both parties had been in place since November, with the 53-year-old rejecting approaches from several top clubs to keep himself available for the France job.
An official announcement is expected in the coming days.
Zidane will inherit one of the most talented squads in international football as France look to bounce back from a disappointing end to their 2026 World Cup campaign.
Zidane Plans Changes Behind The Scenes
Zidane’s impact is expected to extend well beyond the touchline.
French outlet L’Équipe reports that the former Real Madrid coach wants to modernise several departments within the FFF, including increasing female representation in the federation’s press and data analysis teams.
He is also keen to reunite with former France teammate Fabien Barthez, with the 1998 World Cup-winning goalkeeper expected to join the coaching staff as goalkeeping coach.
Although Barthez does not yet hold the mandatory CEGB goalkeeping coaching licence, the FFF is reportedly working on a temporary exemption that would allow him to begin working while completing the required certification.
End Of The Deschamps Era
Zidane succeeds Didier Deschamps, who stepped down after 14 years in charge of Les Bleus.
Deschamps, who captained France to the 1998 World Cup title before guiding them to World Cup glory as manager in 2018, signed off with a fourth-place finish at the 2026 tournament. France were beaten by eventual champions Spain in the semi-finals before suffering a dramatic 6-4 defeat to England in the third-place playoff.
Although Deschamps had announced before the tournament that he would leave after his contract expired, he later admitted that the increasingly “stifling atmosphere” surrounding the national team played a significant role in his decision.
“I decided that it had to stop,” Deschamps said. “The atmosphere around me had become so stifling. The French national team doesn’t deserve that.”
