Between two matches at the head of the Blues and before abandoning his apron in 2026, Didier Deschamps confided in Le Figaro in an interview without detour. Far from the sanitized responses often delivered at a press conference, the coach was more introspective, in particular on his report to Zinédine Zidane. A confession particularly caught attention: “I am not one of his intimate friends”, He lets go, as if to highlight a long-term distance between the two 1998 legends.
Deschamps, his unexpected admission on Zidane
Far from eluding the subject, Deschamps assumes this atypical relationship
: “There are always forms of recognition in everyone's successes”, he slips cautiously. At first glance, the confession could feed the theses of a cold rivalry between the current coach and the one that many already see him succeed him.
But to look more closely, DD quickly defuses the supposed tensions. He says that between them, “There will always be respect”. Even if they do not share the same proximity or the same circles, their common years, in club as in selection, have sealed a deep link. The native of Bayonne insists: “I always have a lot of respect for Zinedine. »»
Deschamps and Zidane, between distance and eternal respect.
A relationship based on mutual respect
This declaration is part of a particular context, while Zidane is expected to take over the French team after the 2026 World Cup. “Do not close any door”, Whether in France or abroad.
Over the course of the interview, the coach also returns to his relations with the former 1998, some of which criticize him for his absence. “I am not in all groups”, he admits, recognizing a form of detachment without denying the importance of the link.
He also with lucidly evokes the end of his adventure with the Blues and a retraining to come. “I want to transmit, but I don't want to rush”, he said. And to conclude, faithful to its image: “I am not frozen. I adapt. »»
