France to name Zinedine Zidane as their head coach next week
The French Football Federation said on Thursday that its president, Philippe Diallo, will select the coach during a press conference at the organization's offices in Paris
XtraTime Newsweek: France's new coach will be unveiled next Tuesday, with Zinedine Zidane widely expected to succeed Didier Deschamps. The French Football Federation said on Thursday that its president, Philippe Diallo, will select the coach during a press conference at the organization's offices in Paris. Zidane, 54, has not managed since he left Real Madrid in 2021.
From 2016 to 2018, the midfield great guided Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles. Deschamps led France for 14 years before stepping down following the World Cup, which saw Les Bleus lose in the semifinals against Spain.
France won the World Cup in 2018 under Deschamps, but lost the final on penalties in 2022. Les Bleus also lost the Euro 2016 final on their own home turf.
Zinedine was France's playmaker when it won the 1998 World Cup, scoring twice in a 3-0 victory against Brazil. He also played a key role in the country's European Championship victory two years later. Along with this, he also won Ballon d'Or in 1998.
He has appeared in 108 games for France, scoring 31 goals, including a brilliant Panenka-style penalty in the 2006 World Cup final, which Les Bleus lost after he was sent off in extra time for headbutting Italian defender Marco Materazzi in the chest.
France's next games are away to Turkey in the Nations League on Sept. 25, followed by a match in Belgium three days later. France then faces Italy at the Stade de France on Oct. 2.
