CONFIRMED: Coach Zidane reaches agreement to lead dream destination

Coach Zinedine Zidane is confirmed to have reached a preliminary agreement to become the next coach of the French national team after the 2026 World Cup.

According to the newspaper AS, Zinedine Zidane has finalized an agreement with the French Football Federation (FFF) to become the head coach of the national team after the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup. This move is seen as closing the four-year period since he left the coaching bench after parting ways with Real Madrid.

Zidane is expected to succeed Didier Deschamps, who confirmed the 2026 World Cup will be the final tournament he leads Les Bleus. In reality, this plan has been prepared beforehand and is almost a clear destination in the coaching career of the 1972-born manager.

In recent weeks, Zidane received numerous offers to return to coach top European clubs, but he decisively declined. The manager who won three consecutive Champions League titles with Real Madrid stated that his future had long been decided, and the agreement with the FFF is now just the final step.

Throughout the period without coaching any team, Zidane continuously received many attractive proposals, including a lucrative offer from Al Hilal as well as interest from PSG and Chelsea. However, his choice has always been very clear: either coach the French national team, or return to Real Madrid, the only club he has managed at the senior level.

Despite some tensions after leaving Real Madrid in 2021, the relationship between Zidane and the leadership of the Spanish Royal club has now significantly improved. Recently, he has mainly spent time following his sons' careers, while frequently appearing at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium to watch matches.

Given all these developments, Zidane's return to the coaching bench, specifically with the French national team, is almost just a matter of time.