France is preparing to appoint the former Real Madrid coach at the head of its selection after the departure of Didier Deschamps at the end of the 2026 World Cup. This appointment should put an end to months of speculation and breathe new impetus into the Blues, recently criticized for their lack of innovation.
Zidane’s return is taking shape as France prepares for a new era.
Zidane’s long-awaited return to the sidelines could finally become reality. According to AS, France intends to name him coach once Deschamps finishes his final tournament at the 2026 World Cup. For months, Zidane has been hinting that he is ready to coach again, and France has been waiting for the right moment to bring him back.
This return comes at the right time, at a time when France needs renewal. There has been growing criticism of Deschamps’ management of the team in recent years, arguing that his approach has become predictable, conservative and too dependent on his past experiences. Many felt the team had stopped making progress in key areas such as tactical flexibility, offensive variety and roster rotation.
The arrival of Zidane is therefore seen as an opportunity to breathe new life into a team rich in talent, but lacking a renewed tactical vision.
The Deschamps era is coming to an end
Deschamps’ contract is coming to an end, closing a monumental chapter in French football. Named in 2012 after Laurent Blanc, Deschamps led France to heights that forged his legend. He led the nation to the Euro 2016 final, delivered World Cup victory in 2018, reached another World Cup final in 2022 and maintained consistent competitiveness for over a decade in charge.
But his reign was not without difficulties. Elimination in the round of 16 of Euro 2020, sometimes excessive tactical rigidity, controversial selection choices and an increasingly repetitive approach gave the impression that France was not fully exploiting its extraordinary pool of talent.
Zidane’s career heralds a new direction for the Blues.
In recent years, a consensus has emerged among critics: Deschamps’ French team had become predictable. Analysts regularly pointed out the same problems: tactical schemes that were too conservative, adjustments that were too slow during the match and a reliance on ideas that had worked in the past, but which no longer suited a squad full of offensive and dynamic talent. During several meetings, France gave the impression of restraining itself, of constraining itself rather than expressing itself fully.
Commentators argued that even with Kylian Mbappé and the emergence of young talents like Eduardo Camavinga and Warren Zaire-Emery, France often played with excessive caution, absorbing pressure instead of dictating play.
This is where Zidane’s profile contrasts radically: three Champions Leagues in three seasons and a Spanish championship title with Real Madrid.
