Zidane Set To Replace Deschamps As France Head Coach
Retold by Oddsrama · 15 July 2026
France's managerial transition is locked in. The French Football Federation has decided Zinedine Zidane will take over as head coach after the 2026 World Cup, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano. Official paperwork will be completed once that tournament wraps up, with Zidane expected to sign a deal running through to 2030. The legendary Real Madrid tactician has apparently turned down all other offers over the past eight months, keeping his sights firmly on the France job.
Didier Deschamps will step down when his current contract expires following the 2026 World Cup. His tenure has been one of the most successful in French football history—he won the 2018 World Cup, led Les Bleus to the 2016 Euros final, and came within a penalty shootout of defending the World Cup in Qatar. However, this tournament ended in disappointment: France crashed out in the semi-finals with a 2-0 loss to Spain, ending their campaign.
Zidane's appointment marks his first role with the France national team, though his pedigree at club level is pristine. His three Champions League titles and multiple La Liga successes with Real Madrid have made him one of football's most sought-after managers. For betting markets, the shift signals a new tactical approach and mentality for the French outfit heading into the next competitive cycle. Expect odds and form assessments to shift once Zidane's methods begin taking shape in friendlies and qualifiers leading up to 2026.
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