Zinédine Zidane not pushing to replace Didier Deschamps as France manager

French football icon Zinédine Zidane has no intention of ousting his former France and Juventus teammate Didier Deschamps and pushing his case for replacing him as Les Bleus manager, according to a report this Wednesday from L’Equipe. The Real Madrid legend is the touted favorite to eventually replace Didier Deschamps, with whom he won the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 Euros for France.

The outlet understands that “Zizou” has too much respect for his former captain, and Juventus teammate for three years, to lobby the French FA into dismissing him. The 52-year-old Zidane is reportedly making the most of a peaceful life after resigning from his position as Real Madrid manager in 2021. He recently celebrated his 30th wedding anniversary and the birth of Enzo’s – his eldest son – twin daughters. Zidane presented the Champions League trophy for the 2024 final at Wembley between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. He also flagged the start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans last month.

After winning the Champions League three times in a row with Los Blancos, Zidane made no secret of his desire to coach France, should the opportunity present itself. However, the Marseille-born Ballon d’Or winner is not making becoming Les Bleus manager an obsession. L’Equipe adds that Zidane would have been more willing to take over Les Bleus on the back of their mediocre exit in the last-16 stage of the 2021 Euros. But a year later, Didier Deschamps led France to the 2022 World Cup final and earned a surprise four-year extension from then-underfire French FA president Noël Le Graët. Zidane got the message loud and clear, L’Equipe wrote, although nothing indicates that Zidane would be willing to manage France after the 2026 World Cup.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval