Regularly cited as a potential successor to Didier Deschamps, Zinedine Zidane continues to be patient. But the place will not be free before 2026 in the French team.
Coach of the French team since 2012, Didier Deschamps is clinging to his place even if many observers and supporters would like to see change among the Blues. After a disappointing Euro 2024 in terms of play despite a semi-final, a change of coach could have taken place. The name of Zinedine Zidane obviously came up, the former Real Madrid coach still not having returned to service since his departure from Casa Blanca three years ago, waiting for the place to finally be free among the Blues. But for Philippe Diallo, interim president of the FFF since the departure of Noël Le Graët and candidate in the December election, a departure of Didier Deschamps was never really considered.
On RMCPhilippe Diallo recognized that the contract signed by Didier Deschamps until 2026 protected him in the same way as his successful Euro according to him. “Zidane? I didn't do it, because I arrived in 2023 with Didier Deschamps who had just extended until 2026. So, I respect his contract because it fulfilled the objectives of the FFF. If the financial aspect played a role? Yes, it's obvious. But Deschamps, I asked him to be in the semi-final of the Euro and that was the case. We all want to dream, to have emotions while watching matches. The incredible final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was Deschamps, the coach who experienced one of the best finals in history” analyzed Philippe Diallo, for whom the contract extension of Didier Deschamps signed at the time by Noël Le Graët protects the current coach from a possible departure. Zinedine Zidane is therefore warned, he will have to wait at least 2026 to get the place. If by then, he still wants it, which we can begin to doubt by seeing him far from European fields.