Zizou Back In The Dugout? Ex-Real Madrid Boss Touted To Take Over France NT - Report

Last Updated:February 21, 2026, 18:32 IST

Zinedine Zidane has reportedly reached a verbal agreement to become France’s head coach after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Zinedine Zidane has reportedly reached a verbal agreement to become France’s next head coach following the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The former France captain has been out of management since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, but now appears poised to step into one of international football’s most high-profile roles.

According to reports from Fabrizio Romano, Zizou will succeed Didier Deschamps, who has led Les Bleus since 2012.

A Changing of the Guard

Deschamps’ tenure has been one of the most successful in French football history. Under his leadership, France won the 2018 World Cup, claimed the 2020–21 Nations League, and finished runners-up at the 2022 World Cup.

Replacing him will be no small task.

But Zidane’s managerial résumé commands respect. During his time at Real Madrid, he guided the Spanish giants to three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles, an unprecedented modern-era achievement, along with multiple domestic honours.

From Iconic Playmaker to National Boss

As a player, Zidane delivered one of the most iconic moments in French sporting history with his brace in the 1998 World Cup final.

Now, nearly three decades later, he is set to return to the national setup — this time on the touchline.

If confirmed, the appointment would mark a symbolic transition: from Deschamps’ golden generation to a new era led by one of France’s most revered footballing figures.

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