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After reportedly declining several approaches from Manchester United, Zidane is finally closing in on his dream job
Former Los Blancos midfielder and coach Zinedine Zidane is reportedly closing in on his dream role as manager of the French national team amid escalating tension between current head coach Didier Deschamps and some of Les Bleus' senior players.
As pressure mounts on Deschamps following poor performances at Euro 2024 and discord in the squad, Zidane appears poised to step in, with players reportedly eager for a change in leadership.
Deschamps faces dressing room discontent
Deschamps, who guided France to a World Cup victory in 2018 and to the 2022 final, now faces mounting disapproval from his squad.
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The team’s underwhelming display at Euro 2024 has further fueled frustration, and sources indicate that his recent exclusion of Kylian Mbappe from the squad has intensified tensions.
Mbappe, a key figure in French football, has allegedly expressed a willingness to withdraw from the national team in response to Deschamps’ continued leadership, further proving the depth of the rift within the squad.
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Reports in France suggest other senior players share Mbappe’s discontent, and Antoine Griezmann’s unexpected retirement from international football in September has also added to the growing instability within the camp.
Deschamps' management style, once highly effective, is now reportedly viewed as outdated, with players openly pushing for Zidane as his successor.
Zidane’s dream job on the horizon
Though linked with the Manchester United job before in recent years, Zidane has long set his sights on managing the French national team.
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Having enjoyed a legendary career as a player and a highly successful tenure at Real Madrid — where he won two La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies — Zidane would bring unparalleled experience and respect to the role.
Thierry Henry, a close confidante, has confirmed Zidane's interest in leading Les Bleus, calling it a "perfect match."
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Deschamps, under contract until the 2026 World Cup, was publicly backed by the French Football Federation after Euro 2024; however, with France’s upcoming Nations League games against Israel and Italy, the French manager not only faces the challenge of securing wins but also of potentially saving his job.
As Zidane waits in the wings, the pressure on Deschamps continues to produce results, and a shakeup in leadership may soon be inevitable.
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