Didier Deschamps took everyone by surprise on Tuesday by announcing in an interview for TF1’s 1 p.m. broadcast this Wednesday his decision to leave his post at the head of the France team at the end of the World Cup. 2026. However, the debate around the identity of his successor already seems to be closed as Zinedine Zidane is almost unanimous.
And like Christophe Dugarry, the third thief in their trident among the Girondins, Bixente Lizarazu clearly pleads in favor of his former partner. “It seems obvious to me that the next thing is Zizou, he thus confided to
The Team. He has already spoken on the subject. Obviously the door is wide open for him, he wants it, it’s his dream and he has proven himself as a coach. Everyone wants to see him as a coach. »
For Bixente Lizarazu, it’s “obvious”
“I can’t imagine it’s anyone else.” For me, it’s obvious, he insisted. Zizou having announced that it is his absolute dream, the president of the FFF (Philippe Diallo) would not consider him as a first choice? If we have someone like Zizou and we don’t consider it fantastic, I don’t understand anything about football anymore. »
Some voices were nevertheless heard to express some reservations, like Noël Le Graët, the former president of the FFF, who doubts the real motivation of Zinedine Zidane.
“I am sure of his interest. We remember Le Graët’s last words, with some blunders. Zizou is a man of few words, but when he says something, they are not empty words”opposed Bixente Lizarazu, in reference to the few times where the former Ballon d’Or clearly expressed his desire to take on the role of coach.
But could the prospect of seeing Zinedine Zidane succeed him disturb Didier Deschamps? Bixente Lizarazu doesn’t believe it. “Zizou has absolutely nothing to reproach for his behavior. He has remained very discreet all these years, has expressed himself once or twice but it is completely normal to express his desires, he observed. His words are rare, fortunately he has the right. »
