The end of an era is sealed. Following their 2–0 defeat to Spain in the semi-final of the 2026 World Cup, France is bracing for a seismic change in its coaching staff. Didier Deschamps, who has presided over one of the most successful periods in the history of the French national team, will step down after the third-place play-off in Miami. His successor, however, already has a name, a surname and a legendary status that few in world football possess: Zinedine Zidane.

Ballon d'Or’s aura on the touchline

Zidane’s arrival at the helm of France goes far beyond a simple change of manager. It marks the rise of a ‘Ballon d'Or’ winner to the position of national team manager. Throughout history, the success of players who reached the pinnacle of their individual careers has not always been reflected in their coaching careers, but the exceptions form a select group. Zidane, winner of the 1998 World Cup (Ballon d'Or), now joins a list that includes names such as Johan Cruyff and Franz Beckenbauer.

Beckenbauer, the ‘Kaiser’, is Zizou’s main role model. The German not only won the EuropeanBallon d'Or in 1972 and 1976, but also won the World Cup as captain in 1974 and as manager in 1990. Zidane, who has already demonstrated his ability by winning three consecutive Champions League titles with Real Madrid between 2016 and 2018, is now attempting to emulate Beckenbauer’s feat and lead France back to the pinnacle of world football as a manager.

Deschamps’ legacy and Zizou’s challenge

Didier Deschamps leaves behind a legacy that will be hard to match, including the 2018 World Cup title and a runners-up finish in 2022. However, the team’s performance against Spain in 2026 showed signs of fatigue. France were dominated in midfield and struggled to find tactical alternatives during the match.

With Zidane at the helm, the expectation is for a more attacking and creative approach. Analysts believe that Zizou could give more freedom to young talents such as Michael Olise and Rayan Cherki, revitalising an attacking line-up that seemed stifled in recent matches under Deschamps. Furthermore, his experience in managing star-studded squads, as he did at Real Madrid, will be crucial in leading the talented French generation through the cycle leading up to 2030.

Next steps

Although the official announcement is expected in the coming days, Zidane’s path already seems set. His debut is likely to take place in the Nations League on 25 September, against Turkey. For French fans, the return of the man who scored two goals in the 1998 World Cup final represents the hope that the elegance he displayed with the ball at his feet will translate into a new era of tactical dominance for Les Bleus.