Zinedine Zidane’s Patient Wait: French Legend Preparing for National Team Role in 2026

The Strategic Wait of a Football Legend

Zinedine Zidane, 53, has been without a managerial role since his departure from Real Madrid in 2021, where he achieved remarkable success with 11 trophies, including three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles and two La Liga titles.

The football world is increasingly convinced that Zidane is the leading candidate to succeed Didier Deschamps as France’s national team manager, with Deschamps confirming his intention to step down after the 2026 World Cup.

Preparation for the National Team Role

According to L’Équipe, Zidane is quietly preparing for his future role with Les Bleus. The 1998 Ballon d’Or winner is aware that several players within the current French squad are anticipating his appointment, and he has already begun discussing his former teammate’s experiences in charge of the national team.

The French legend is taking a methodical approach to his preparation, closely monitoring his compatriots and taking detailed notes about the national team setup. He has even started developing plans for how he would like France to play under his leadership.

Dedication to the Dream

Demonstrating his commitment to the France position, Zidane has reportedly turned down several lucrative offers, including a remarkable €100M (£117.7M) one-year deal from the Saudi Pro League.

His credentials for the role are impeccable, combining his experience as a World Cup-winning captain in 1998 with his successful coaching spell at Real Madrid. Deschamps himself has endorsed Zidane as a ‘natural’ successor, a sentiment widely shared within the French Football Federation.

Looking Ahead

The transition will mark the end of Deschamps’ remarkable tenure, which began in 2012 and has been one of the most successful periods in French football history, highlighted by the 2018 World Cup victory and the 2021 Nations League title.