Zinedine Zidane returns to football
Zidane will take over as manager of the French national team after the 2026 World Cup
The French Football Federation (FFF) has quietly begun initial talks with Zinedine Zidane to take over as national team coach after Didier Deschamps's term ends in the summer of 2026. The former Real Madrid coach is widely seen as the 54-year-old's preferred successor, with whom the FFF wants to ensure a smooth transition after the World Cup in the United States.
The French national team's staff and several members of the federation have already settled in Boston, where they will prepare for friendly matches against Brazil and Colombia (March) and against Ivory Coast and another (as yet unknown) team in June.
FFF president Philippe Diallo has made it clear that the announcement of the new coach will not be made before the World Cup, so as not to disrupt the preparation of the "tricolors".
As he stated:
"I think it is better to leave our team alone to prepare for the tournament, and then we will have this period with a new coach".
Zidane himself had stated characteristically in November at a legends match in Toulon regarding the question of their return to the benches:
"Soon, I hope".
Zidane's talks with the French federation are also focused on the composition of his future staff, with his partner at Real Madrid,
David Bettoni, expected to be involved, while Zidane's desire is to create a fairly large staff, which will also include a data analysis unit. At the same time, the FFF is trying to ensure that these additions will not increase the national team's budget.
Manos Staramopoulos
Journalist and Analyst of International Football and Affairs
Chief Editor English Zone of Discoveryfootball.com
Athens (Greece).
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