Philippe Diallo, President of the French Football Federation (FFF), has expressed skepticism regarding the likelihood of Zinedine Zidane being appointed as the next head coach of the French national team following Didier Deschamps’ departure.
For months, Zidane has been widely regarded as a top candidate to succeed Deschamps after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The legendary French midfielder, often referred to as Zizou, has not managed any club since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, despite receiving multiple offers over the past few years. This inactivity has fueled speculation that he might take over Les Bleus once Deschamps concludes his tenure.
However, in a recent interview with L’Equipe, Diallo tempered these expectations, emphasizing that Zidane’s appointment is far from guaranteed.
“A lot can happen, and things don’t always unfold the way people imagine,” Diallo stated.
Diallo’s Perspective on Zidane
Despite his doubts, Diallo expressed deep respect for Zidane’s achievements both on and off the field.
“I have often said that I admire and respect Zidane greatly—for his contributions to French football as a player and for what he has accomplished as a coach, winning multiple trophies,” Diallo explained.
“However, everything has its proper timing. Right now, our focus is fully on preparing for the World Cup,” he added.
Diallo also suggested that the FFF may announce Deschamps’ successor before the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, but timing is crucial.
“There are only two possible windows for naming a new coach: either after the World Cup or slightly earlier, sufficiently ahead of the tournament’s final stages,” Diallo said.
“One option could be in the first quarter of 2026, around March or April, far enough from the critical phase of the tournament. We don’t want any distractions affecting the team.”
Deschamps’ Inevitable Departure
It has already been confirmed that Didier Deschamps will step down. The 57-year-old manager has been the longest-serving coach in Les Bleus’ history since taking over in 2012.
During his tenure, Deschamps led France to glory at the 2018 World Cup, guided the team to the 2022 World Cup final, and reached the final of Euro 2016. His departure marks the end of an era for French football and opens up a pivotal decision for the FFF regarding the future leadership of the national team.
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