Didier Deschamps (foto: Getty Images)
Didier Deschamps to step down after the 2026 World Cup, with Zinedine Zidane set to take over as the next France coach.
Didier Deschamps, one of the longest-serving and most successful national team managers in modern football, is nearing the end of his historic tenure. After 13 years at the helm of the French national team, the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico will mark the end of Deschamps’ managerial reign.
The report from L'Équipe confirms that Deschamps’ decision to step down is final and may also be influenced by recent challenges within the French camp. Having led Les Bleus to a World Cup title in 2018, a runner-up finish in 2022, and a Nations League title in 2021, his legacy is unparalleled.
However, attention is already turning to his replacement. According to French media, Zinedine Zidane is the chosen successor. The legendary midfielder and former Real Madrid manager has reportedly turned down multiple high-profile offers from European clubs, signaling his desire to coach the national team—a position he views as the final chapter of his illustrious career.
Deschamps’ departure will close a remarkable chapter for Les Bleus, but Zidane’s arrival promises an exciting new era, given his immense success in club football and his iconic status in French football history.