Zinedine Zidane is on everyone’s minds after the announcement of Didier Deschamps’ departure from the French football team in 2026.
An unexpected announcement due to its timing. Didier Deschamps announced his departure from the French team after the 2026 World Cup through an intervention recorded for the 1 p.m. news on the occasion of the launch of the 2025 Yellow Pieces operation. “I have been here since 2012, I am scheduled until 2026, the next World Cup It will stop there because it has to stop there at some point. I’m doing my time with the same desire, the same passion to keep the French team at the highest level. But 2026 is very good.”
Since the announcement, the name of the future coach is already in everyone’s heads and a name, Zinedine Zidanestands out very strongly. However, the latter is not unanimous and the boss of the FFF, Philippe Diallo, preferred to avoid the subject in an interview for L’Equipe. “I will not enter into this debate. Didier has two years of contract and, out of respect for him, his staff and the players, the question of his succession does not arise today. I want Didier to work in peace We have important deadlines,” he explained while paying tribute to Zinedine Zidane’s coaching career.
Zidane has not coached since 2021
If his name has been mentioned for years at the head of the Blues, Zinedine Zidane has not occupied a sidelines since his departure in 2021 from Real Madrid. And even if he has never hidden his ambition to find a team, the Real Madrid legend says he is “thriving” in his current life, as he indicated for Madame Figaro a few months ago.
“HASToday I want other things. I also enjoy my life. I take care of my children, my grandchildren too, since I recently became a grandpa. My life is full, and that’s the most important thing for me.” For his 50th birthday, “Zizou” still mentioned his dream of being on the bench even if he doesn’t have a fixation with it. “I want to, of course, and I hope I will one day. When ? It doesn’t depend on me. But I want to come full circle with the French team. If it has to be done, it will be done when it is done. The French team is the most beautiful thing there is.
If certain football players like Dugarry, his great friend, want to see Zidane take over this team, other legends like Jean-Michel Larqué are not necessarily betting on him. “The future coach will perhaps be Zidane, I don’t know. I would almost bet it won’t be him” he said on RMC.
Thierry Henry, a name not to be forgotten
The former number 10 of the Blues is not the only name mentioned. Another legend, Thierry Henry, is also a serious lead. If his club experience was not crowned with great success with AS Monaco, his time with the hopes of the French team was more fruitful since he took this team to the final of the Games Olympic Games in Paris 2024. All while creating a united group which had only one goal: to win.
His surprise resignation a few days later for personal reasons does not take away from the fact that the former Arsenal player is a name not to be overlooked, even if Philippe Diallo had explained that steps should not be taken too fast.
Klopp, Guardiola… And why not a foreign coach?
Like England who chose Thomas Tuchel to take charge of the Three Lions, what if the Blues took a foreign coach to take over from Didier Deschamps? No rule stipulates that the coach of the France team must be a French coach, the president of the FFF will look for the best coach to manage a group and bring it to the top as Didier Deschamps did.
Red Bull’s new global director of football Jurgen Klopp could be considered, especially as the former Liverpool coach is now linked to France with an 11% stake in Paris FC, held by the Austrian brand. In difficulty with Manchester City in the Premier League, Pep Guardiola could change direction and launch himself, like Luis Enrique with Spain, into attacking a national team. Seeing the best coach in the world (for some) managing Kylian Mbappé and his teammates wouldn’t be a bad thing for the show.
Galtier, Garcia… Other names mentioned
Former PSG coach and now under contract at Al-Duhail in Qatar, Christophe Galtier has already expressed his “dream” of leading the French selection. Even if it is difficult to see the latter taking the helm of the Blues, Rudi Garcia, without a club since his resounding failure with Napoli, has not hidden his wish to take over the queens of the French team.
Finally if we talk about Pep Guardiola, we can also mention “Pep” Genesio, who said he was “capable” of managing the Blues. Last name not to forget: that of Hervé Renard. Former coach of several selections and the French women’s team, he does not have much more to prove, his CV and track record speak for him and his name could be legitimate in this debate.