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What to know about Zinedine Zidane replacing Didier Deschamps as France’s manager following 2026 World Cup originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
France entered the World Cup semifinals as the favorite to lift the trophy, but hopes of a second title in three tournaments were dashed by Spain on Tuesday.
There is no doubt France is confident it can keep contending on the world stage for years to come, but it will have to do so under new leadership.
Manager Didier Deschamps isn't returning after this World Cup, ending a 14-year tenure that saw France reach three consecutive World Cup semifinals.
Here's what you need to know about Deschamps' exit and France's next manager.
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Has Zinedine Zidane been hired as France manager?
ESPN reported in March that former France star Zinedine Zidane will be the national team's next manager after reaching a verbal agreement.
Zidane hasn't officially been announced as Deschamps' successor, but there is no indication the reported agreement between the two sides has hit any snags.
"The last detail to iron out before he can sign his contract is over his staff and how big his team can be," ESPN's Julien Laurens reported in March, confirming that the deal might not be done quiet yet.
Here's more to know about Zidane.
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Who is Zinedine Zidane?
The 53-year-old Zidane has long been considered the likely successor to Deschamps after spending part of his international career playing alongside Deschamps and winning the 1998 World Cup together.
Zidane is considered royalty in French soccer, having won three FIFA Player of the Year honors and the Ballon d'Or in 1998. Zidane scored 31 international goals for France over a 12-year run with the national team, including two goals in the 1998 World Cup final.
As a club player, Zidane spent time with Juventus and Real Madrid after starting his senior career with Cannes and Bordeaux. He scored 37 goals across 155 appearances with Real Madrid.
After his playing days, Zidane jumped into the world of managing. Here's a closer look at Zidane's coaching career.
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Zinedine Zidane coaching career
Zidane became the manager of Real Madrid Castilla, Real Madrid's B team, in 2014, before taking over Real Madrid in the early days of 2016. Real Madrid won La Liga in 2017 and captured three consecutive Champions League titles under Zidane, but he resigned days after the 2018 Champions League final.
His time away didn't last long, as Real Madrid re-hired Zidane early in 2019 for another stint that lasted more than two years. Real Madrid won another La Liga title under Zidane but left the club in May of 2021.
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What is happening to Didier Deschamps?
Deschamps confirmed in early 2025 that he would step down from his post after the 2026 World Cup.
"In 2026 it will be over. In my head it's very clear. I've done my time, with the same desire and passion to maintain France at the highest level but 2026 is very good," Deschamps told French network TF1.
"One has to be able to say stop, there's a life after this," Deschamps added. "The most important is for France to stay at the top as they have been for many years."
While he is only 57, Deschamps lasted longer than most European national team managers, spending 14 years as the French manager and reaching the World Cup semifinals three times with one title.
Didier Deschamps record as France manager
- Record: 120-28-35
Deschamps finishes 120-29 with 35 draws across 183 matches as France's manager. He took the reins of Les Bleus in 2012 and coached France in four different World Cups.
Deschamps already made history as one of three men to win the World Cup as both a player and a manager, as he captained France during its 1998 World Cup victory. His dream of becoming only the second manager to win the World Cup multiple times couldn't be realized, however.
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