French Football Federation (FFF) President Philippe Diallo recently hinted at the widely anticipated return of Zinedine Zidane to management, signaling an end to his five-year hiatus from coaching.
Zidane’s departure from Real Madrid in the summer of 2021, attributed to a perceived lack of hierarchical support, surprised many. Since then, he has been linked with numerous high-profile positions, including a potential second stint at Real Madrid, as well as roles at Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, and Juventus. However, he had consistently declined all offers until now.
Zidane Poised to Become New France Manager
Diallo recently indicated to Le Figaro that he was aware of the identity of Didier Deschamps’ successor for the French national team. Reports from Julien Laurens confirm a verbal agreement for Zidane to assume the managerial role after the 2026 World Cup. Deschamps’ departure following the tournament in North America (United States, Mexico, and Canada) is already finalized, paving the way for Zidane to lead Les Bleus, a position he has reportedly coveted since his initial departure from Real Madrid.
Zidane to Unite with Kylian Mbappe at Les Bleus
Zidane shares a strong rapport with Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe, whom he reportedly welcomed to the Santiago Bernabeu upon his transfer. Several other Real Madrid players, including Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga (whose arrivals Zidane reportedly influenced), are also expected to play crucial roles under his leadership. While coaching Mbappe was considered one of the primary draws that might have lured Zidane back to club management, it now appears their collaboration will commence with the national team.
