Goodbye Deschamps, Hello Zidane? France's Biggest Football Shake-Up Is Here

An iconic chapter in French football is coming to an end as Didier Deschamps prepares to take charge of his final match as national team coach when France face England in the FIFA World Cup third-place playoff on Saturday. Regardless of the result, the game marks the conclusion of a remarkable 14-year tenure that transformed Les Bleus into one of the world's most consistent football powerhouses.

France entered the tournament as one of the favourites but saw their title hopes shattered after a disappointing semifinal defeat to Spain , exposing tactical shortcomings despite boasting one of the most talented squads in international football. The setback has accelerated a long-anticipated transition, with Zinedine Zidane widely expected to be announced as Deschamps' successor by the French Football Federation in the coming days.

Deschamps leaves behind a legacy few managers can match. Under his guidance, France lifted the 2018 FIFA World Cup , reached the 2022 World Cup final , and consistently remained among the elite nations in world football. While critics argued that a squad featuring stars such as Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba, Ousmane Dembélé , and Karim Benzema deserved more major trophies, supporters point to the remarkable stability and sustained success achieved during his reign.

Now, attention turns to Zidane, arguably France's greatest football icon. The legendary playmaker enjoyed extraordinary success as Real Madrid manager, winning three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles and earning a reputation for managing elite dressing rooms with authority and calmness.

Many believe Zidane could bring a more attack-minded philosophy to the national side after criticism that Deschamps often relied on a cautious tactical approach. Creative talents such as Michael Olise and Rayan Cherki could flourish under his system, while there is even speculation that veteran striker Karim Benzema , who thrived under Zidane at Real Madrid, could earn a sensational international recall despite being 38.

If appointed, Zidane's first assignment would come in September with UEFA Nations League fixtures against Turkey and Belgium , before making his home debut against Italy in October. For French fans, it would mark the beginning of a new era led by one of the country's most celebrated football legends, as hopes rise that Zidane can guide Les Bleus back to global glory.