Salah & Szoboszlai run rings around City in champion display

Culture Axis: New Preds, Messi answers 'Stoke' question & more

The Curious Case of Marcelo

Magical Modric inspires Madrid on Mbappe off-day

KDB looks done! Captain leads City flops in Liverpool loss

Editors' Picks

Walker’s wife Kilner jets to Dubai for night out with Rooney

Antony's hot Betis start is over as Barca flop Roque sees red

'I regret leaving Barca' - Former wonderkid admits mistake after Camp Nou exit

Bompastor admits 'lying for 13 years' over secret relationship

INEOS to distance Man Utd from past as Ferguson blamed for struggles

UCL last-16 draw: Liverpool land PSG, Arsenal face PSV

Maguire, you lucky boy! VAR & Bruno save despairing Amorim

'You are crazy!' - Amorim can't believe he's only won four games

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Deschamps quizzed on Zidane succession</li><li>Les Bleus coach stepping down in 2026</li><li>Zidane famed for Real Madrid record</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'A very good candidate' - Zinedine Zidane handpicked by Didier Deschamps to replace him as France boss amid ex-Real Madrid coach's long absence from the game

Copa del Rey

Real Sociedad

Real Madrid

<p>In a discussion with the French media, Deschamps was asked for his opinion on Zidane potentially becoming the next national coach, which would mark the former Real Madrid boss' first return to management since leaving the Bernabeu for the second time in 2021.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Deschamps has been at the helm for Les Bleus since 2012, delivering the World Cup in 2018 and also taking the team to the final at Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup. But it was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/didier-deshcamps-step-down-france-boss-legendary-les-bleus-manager-2026-world-cup/blt73d646d5ee135693" target="_blank">confirmed recently that he will be stepping down at the end of the next tournament in 2026</a>. Zidane has long been the most prominent candidate, having demonstrated his credentials with three Champions League titles in two-and-a-half years in his first spell at Real Madrid. But his second spell was considerably less successful and his time out of football management has been substantial.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>"There is a lot of respect between us," Deschamps said of Zidane to <a href="https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Article/-zidane-est-un-tres-bon-candidat-naturel-didier-deschamps-evoque-sa-succession-a-la-tete-des-bleus-en-2026/1539886" target="_blank"><em>L'Equipe</em></a> and other French media. "We saw each other last time in the summer of 2023, we should see each other again next summer, for the same reasons. Zizou is a very good candidate, natural and I would add expected. Afterwards, I don't know if he will want to."</p>

WHAT DIDIER DESCHAMPS SAID

<p>Speaking on the subject in 2022, Zidane noted "I want it", in reference to the France job. He knew it was a waiting game back then, but now there is at least a firm timeframe in place over when it will actually be available. Another 18 months biding his time.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR ZINEDINE ZIDANE?

'A very good candidate' - Zinedine Zidane handpicked by Didier Deschamps to replace him as France boss amid ex-Real Madrid coach's long absence from the game | Goal.com

Didier Deschamps has backed French football icon Zinedine Zidane as a credible successor to take over as national team coach next year.

&apos;A very good candidate&apos; - Zinedine Zidane handpicked by Didier Deschamps to replace him as France boss amid ex-Real Madrid coach&apos;s long absence from the game

Next Match