French FA boss praises Zidane’s Real Madrid record… and calls Deschamps’ decision ‘responsible’
Zinedine Zidane’s status as favorite to be the next France coach has been boosted by praise from the country’s FA president, who called Didier Deschamps’ decision to leave “responsible and elegant”.
Philippe Diallo said Deschamps, who won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 as Zidane’s teammate, informed him before Christmas that will not renew his contract after the 2026 World Cupby then he will have held that role for 14 years.
“He is still motivated and ready as ever to raise the French flag high,” Diallo said L’Equipe. “But maybe he felt that 2026 [his longevity as] the head of Les Bleus, which is exceptional in itself, [made it] it’s time to move on.”
Didier Deschamps has been great for France, whether we like his style of football or not. Leaving in 2026 is the right decision (maybe even two years too late), but let’s see what impact it will have on the team. And it will surely be Zidane’s turn at last. pic.twitter.com/4ST1WIKIJb
— Julien Laurens (@LaurensJulien) January 7, 2025
Zidane’s Real Madrid record
1998 Ballon d’Or winner Zidane has failed since the second of his two spells at Real Madrid ended after 26 months in charge in 2021.
After winning the Champions League in 2001/02. and the 2002/03 Champions League. as a player with the Spanish giants, Zidane won two Spanish league titles and became European champions in three consecutive seasons during his first tenure as their manager, between 2019 and 2021.
“He is a symbol of French football who contributed to the first star of the French jersey [as World Cup winners],” said Diallo, who did not want to elaborate on Zidane’s prospects for taking over because “he wants Didier to work in peace”.
“I have a lot of respect and admiration for one of the greatest players in the history of football. He had very good results with Real Madrid, where he showed his talent.”
At the head of Les Bleus since 2012, the greatest coach in the history of the French national team will step down after the World Cup in 2026. 💙#FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/E2AHMb4v7v
— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) January 8, 2025
Deschamps: World Cup winner with France
A Champions League winner with Marseille and a three-time Italian champion with Juventus, Deschamps reached the Champions League final in 2003/04. with Monaco in his first managerial role before taking the reigns at 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 were worse as they crashed out in the last 16 at Euro 2020, but were beaten only by a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina in 2022 World Cup Finallosing on penalties after a 3-3 draw.
The 56-year-old’s tactics were called into question after France lost to Spain in the semi-finals of Euro 2024, scoring just four goals in six games in Germany.
Deschamps and Zidane pic.twitter.com/2pueWKJfm2
— Former Football Players (@FinishedPlayers) January 7, 2025
‘Knowing when to stop’ – Deschamps
“You never want something to end well, but you have to know when to stop,” Deschamps told TF1. “There is life after this – I don’t know which one, but it will be a very good one, nonetheless.
“Fourteen years is a long time. The most important thing is that France stays at the top, as it has been for several years.”
France are next in action in the Nations League quarter-final doubleheader against Croatia in March.
