France manager Didier Deschamps has said that former Bleus Team-Mate Zinedine Zidane may not want to follow him as the favorite for the vacancy when his contract ends after the World Cup 2026 is offered the job.
Ex-Real Madrid manager Zidane is admired by the French FA-President Philippe Diallo and is supported in public polls to take over when the DESchamps reign ends after 14 years.
“Zidane is an excellent candidate for the role of coach of the French national team – a natural choice and, I would add, a predictable,” Deschamps told L’Equipe.
“But I’m not sure if he would like it. The last time we saw each other was in the summer of 2023 and we will meet again next summer. We have great respect for each other. “
Zidane Record: A France ‘Landmark’
France Legend and 1998 Ballon d’Or Winner Zidane did not succeed since the second of his two spells with Real Madrid ended after 26 months in the lead in 2021.
After he had won the Champions League 2001/02 and 2002/03 Liga title as a player with the Spanish giants, Zidane won two Spanish titles and became European champion in three consecutive seasons during his first spell as their manager, between 2019 and 2021 .
“He is a milestone of French football that contributed to the first star of France Jersey [as World Cup winners]”Diallo told the newspaper in January.
“I have a lot of respect and admiration for one of the greatest players in the history of football. He had very high quality results with Real Madrid, where he showed the size of his talent. “
Deschamps and Zidane: World Cup and Euro Winners
Deschamps and Zidane were part of the midfield of France when they won the FIFA World Cup and Euro 2000 from 1998, while ‘Zizou’ reached the World Cup final 2006 with his country.
As a manager, DESchamp’s France led to the quarterfinals of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the final of Euro 2016 in the home floor, which went better two years later by beating Croatia 4-2 in the World Cup final.
France performed at the back with a round of 16 exit at Euro 2020, but was only defeated by Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina in the World Cup Final of 2022, lost to penalties after a 3-3 draw.
The Euro 2024 semi-finalists are the following in action to Croatia in the first stage of their Nations League quarterfinals on March 20 (7.45 pm GMT).
