Zinedine Zidane’s future looks to have been decided amid ongoing links to the Manchester United job
France manager Didier Deschamps has refused to address speculation linking Zinedine Zidane with the France national team job.
Deschamps, who has led the side since 2012, is expected to leave his position after the 2026 World Cup. Zidane has been heavily linked with the role for a number of years and, according to French media reports, has now reportedly agreed verbally to succeed Deschamps this summer.
Adding to the speculation, French Football Federation (FFF) president Philippe Diallo hinted that an announcement could arrive soon after revealing he is aware of the identity of the next France coach. When asked directly if it was Zidane, Diallo replied with a smile: “I invite you to join us after the World Cup.”
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When Diallo’s remarks were raised with Deschamps at a press conference before France’s friendly match against Colombia on Sunday, the 57-year-old said he did not want to “waste energy” on the topic.
“I usually don’t comment on the president’s statements. I focus on what’s important to me, which is today, tomorrow and what lies ahead,” Deschamps, who guided France to World Cup triumph in 2018, explained. “I’m not going to waste energy on that. What happens next doesn’t concern me.”
Zidane has been out of work since his second departure from Real Madrid in 2021. Since then, he has been repeatedly linked with the Manchester United job. However, it is believed he is hesitant about working in the UK because of his limited English.
Although he has been away from management for several years, Zidane, who won three Champions League titles and two La Liga crowns as Real Madrid boss, has never ruled out a return and recently suggested he would be back in the dugout soon. “It will happen soon. Very soon,” he said in November last year.
He has also openly expressed a desire to manage France one day, and that ambition is thought to be shared by the federation, which is reportedly viewing Zidane as the natural successor to Deschamps. Diallo also noted that “fewer than five” candidates applied for the role after it became known Deschamps would be stepping down.
“It takes a profile that ticks many boxes and which can also be the subject of support from the French people, since this French football team is the team of the French people,” he said.
One of Zidane’s former international team-mates, Nicolas Anelka, has previously said he expects the 1998 Ballon d’Or winner to be appointed, describing it as a strong choice.
“I don’t know if it’s official, but I think it will be Zidane,” Anelka said. “Everyone says it will be him, and he’s the best choice; he proved it at Real Madrid. He was a good coach. He will be a good leader for the French players.”
The situation may be disappointing for Manchester United supporters, many of whom would like to see Zidane take charge at Old Trafford this summer. However, with interim coach Michael Carrick delivering strong results, the urgency around appointing Zidane may have decreased.
Carrick is now considered the leading candidate for the permanent role after winning seven of his first 10 matches in charge and securing United’s place in the top four. Even so, a final decision is not expected until the end of the season.
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