French FA boss praises Zidane’s record at Real Madrid… and calls Deschamps’ decision ‘responsible’
Zinedine Zidane’s status as favorite to become France’s next national coach was boosted by praise from the president of the French Football Federation, who described Didier Deschamps’ decision to leave the club as “responsible and elegant”.
Philippe Diallo said that Deschamps, who won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2000 as Zidane’s teammate, informed him before Christmas that he will not extend his contract after the 2026 World CupAt this point, he will have held this role for 14 years.
“He is still as motivated and ready as ever to fly the French flag,” Diallo said The team. “But perhaps he felt that in 2026 (his long tenure as head of Les Bleus, which is extraordinary in itself) it was time to move on.”
Didier Deschamps was great for France, whether we like his style of football or not. Leaving in 2026 is the right decision (maybe even two years late), but let’s see what impact it will have on the squad. And surely Zidane will finally be next. pic.twitter.com/4ST1WIKIJb
— Julien Laurens (@LaurensJulien) January 7, 2025
Zidane-Real Madrid record
1998 Ballon d’Or winner Zidane has not managed since the second of his two spells at Real Madrid ended after 26 months in 2021.
After winning the Champions League in 2001/02 and La Liga in 2002/03 as a player with the Spanish giants, Zidane won two Spanish titles in his first spell as coach between 2019 and 2021 and was European champion in three consecutive seasons.
“He is an emblem of French football who contributed to the first star of the French jersey (as a World Cup winner),” said Diallo, who did not want to elaborate on Zidane’s takeover prospects because he “wants Didier to work in peace.”
“I have great respect and admiration for one of the greatest players in the history of football. He achieved very good results at Real Madrid, where he demonstrated the extent of his talent.”
The greatest manager in the history of the French national team, who has been at the helm of Les Bleus since 2012, will retire after the 2026 World Cup 💙#FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/E2AHMb4v7v
— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) January 8, 2025
Deschamps: World champion with France
A Champions League winner with Marseille and three-time Italian champion with Juventus, Deschamps reached the Champions League final with Monaco in 2003/04 in his first coaching role before Juventus and Marseille.
Deschamps led France to the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the final of Euro 2016 on home soil, and went one better two years later by beating Croatia 4-2 in the World Cup final.
France fell short of expectations with a round of 16 exit at Euro 2020, only beaten by Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina World Cup final 2022lost on penalties after a 3-3 draw.
The 56-year-old’s tactics were questioned after France lost to Spain in the Euro 2024 semi-finals after he scored just four goals in six games in Germany.
Deschamps and Zidane pic.twitter.com/2pueWKJfm2
— Former Footballers (@FinishedPlayers) January 7, 2025
“Know when to stop” – Deschamps
“You never want something good to end, but you have to know when to stop,” Deschamps told TF1. “There is an afterlife – I don’t know which one, but it will still be very good.”
“Fourteen years is a lot. The most important thing is that France remains at the top, as it has been for several years.”
France will next be in action in the Nations League quarter-finals against Croatia in March.
