Zinedine Zidane ‘agrees to takeover the French national team’ after FIVE years in the wilderness since France legend stepped down as Real Madrid manager

Zinedine Zidane is believed to be preparing for a return to the dugout after agreeing to takeover the French national team after the World Cup, according to reports. 

The France and Real Madrid legend has shunned replacement roles since leaving the Bernabeu in 2021 after his second stint in the dugout. 

The 53-year-old is believed to have had his heart set on taking over Les Bleus for some time, but was not able to unseat his former team-mate Didier Deschamps as head coach. 

Deschamps has held the role since 2012, and six years later became the third man to win the World Cup as both a player and a manager. 

The 57-year-old also won the Nations League in 2021, and oversaw France’s run to the final in Qatar in 2022. 

But in January 2025, Deschamps announced that he would be stepping down after stewarding the national team in North America for the 2026 tournament.  

The France legend won the World Cup for Les Bleus alongside Didier Deschamps in 1998

As per Fabrizio Romano, Zidane has a verbal agreement to take over ahead of the qualification cycle for the 2028 European Championship, although there has been no formal contracts signed. 

Zidane enjoyed a heavily decorated two spells in the dugout at Real Madrid, the only club he has managed since becoming Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant in 2013. 

Among his honours with the team are two LaLiga trophies, three Champions League titles, and two Spanish Super Cups. 

Since his departure from Los Blancos, Zidane has been hotly pursued by clubs including Manchester United and Chelsea, but thus far held out, preferring instead to wait for the France role to become available. 

Most recently, Zidane voiced his desire to take up the position at the Festivo dello Sport in Trento last October. 

‘Without a doubt, I will return to coaching,’ he shared. 

‘Me, Juventus? I don’t know why it didn’t happen. I still hold it dear. What will happen in the future, I don’t know. 

‘But one of my goals is to coach the French national team. We’ll see.’