Didier Deschamps to Step Down as French National Team Coach

Didier Deschamps has confirmed his decision to leave his position as the French national team coach after the 2026 World Cup, regardless of the outcome. The French manager revealed his plans in an interview with Brigitte Macron, broadcast on TF1. This announcement had been rumored in France for several days.

“It will be over in 2026. In my mind, it’s very clear. I’ve fulfilled my time, maintaining the same enthusiasm and passion to keep France at the highest level, but 2026 is a good time to stop,” Deschamps told French television. “You have to know when to say enough, there’s life after this. The most important thing is for France to remain at the top, as it has been for many years,” he added.

Upon the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup – his fourth as coach – Deschamps will leave the French national team after 14 years in charge. His tenure, beyond the titles, has been highly successful, reaching two World Cup finals (winning one), a European Championship final, and winning a Nations League. According to L’Equipe, the French coach had made this decision months ago and was clear that he would not renew his contract after the World Cup.

Potential Successor

Although there is still about a year and a half before this situation unfolds and anything can happen, there is already a strong favorite for the French bench. That is none other than Zinedine Zidane. The former Real Madrid coach has been rumored for years to take over the French national team; Zidane, for his part, has repeatedly stated that his dream was to manage the French national team one day. Now, with Deschamps’ departure, it is a very real possibility and it would not be far-fetched for him to be the candidate chosen by the French Football Federation.