It's done. At the end of the 2026 World Cup, Didier Deschamps will leave his position as coach of the France team after fourteen years of good and loyal service. To replace him, Zinedine Zidane comes forward as the overwhelming favorite.
Without activity since his departure from Real Madrid in 2021, “Zizou” is patiently waiting for his turn on the Blues bench. He also proclaimed once again last May his desire to take control of the French selection. “ I feel legitimate in the French team, where I played and spent almost 12, 13 or 14 years as a player. Of course it's a dream, I can't wait “, he confided.
“ There is a coach in charge, there is a team, and we have to respect all that, and that's what we do, Zidane added. I've always respected football and people, so it's not really the right time. But when the time comes, it will be a great pleasure if the opportunity presents itself. I put my career on hold for a while, but I feel fully coachable. »
“Zidane, he will do like Deschamps”
If the very probable appointment of the former number 10 of the Blues delights many French people, this is not the case of Pierre Ménès. The former star consultant of Canal+ believes that we will not take more pleasure in watching Zidane's Blues than during the Deschamps era.
“ I don't remember Real's game being as technical as that, recalls Ménès on his YouTube channel.
It was above all being strong at the back with Sergio Ramos, and we were playing on Cristiano Ronaldo up front. In fact, you do with the tool you have. Without wanting to return to my statements about the players of color who make up the vast majority of the French team, today you have a player profile which is clearly emerging in France: a player with above-average physical qualities, above-average power, and above-average speed. »
And to continue: “ Kylian MbappĂ© being the symbol of this player today of the France team. So wanting to decree that we are going to play with small technical circles… Who are you going to play with? With Pablo Pagis? You do with the equipment you have. And the equipment that the French team provides you with is clearly players who are more physical than technical. So Zidane, he will do like Deschamps. »
