Key keywords: Zinedine Zidane, Didier Deschamps, France men's national football team, French Football Federation (FFF), Les Bleus, 2026 FIFA World Cup, France head coach replacement, international football management Multiple sources close to the French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed on Wednesday that the governing body is finalizing plans to announce a new head coach for the men’s national team in the coming week, with legendary former midfielder Zinedine Zidane widely expected to take over from long-serving manager Didier Deschamps. Deschamps, who has led Les Bleus since 2012, is stepping down at the end of his current contract, which expires following the conclusion of the 2024 international fixture window. The 55-year-old leaves behind an unparalleled legacy in French football history: he guided the team to victory at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, finished as runners-up at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, claimed the 2021 UEFA Nations League title, and reached the final of the 2016 UEFA European Championship on home soil. For years, Zidane has been tipped as the natural successor to Deschamps, and FFF officials have reportedly held multiple positive rounds of talks with the 1998 World Cup-winning player over the past month. As a coach, Zidane built a historic resume at Real Madrid, leading the Spanish giants to three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018, plus two La Liga crowns and multiple domestic cup trophies. He has been out of top-flight management since leaving Real Madrid for the second time in 2021, repeatedly stating in media interviews that his long-term career goal is to lead the French national team. Sources note that the proposed contract for Zidane will run through the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, with an optional one-year extension should France advance to the later stages of the tournament. FFF president Philippe Diallo is expected to formally present Zidane as the new head coach at a press conference in Paris next Tuesday, where he will also outline the federation’s targets for the next two and a half years. Zidane’s top priorities will include integrating young emerging talent into the existing core of the squad, which includes global superstars such as Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Aurélien Tchouaméni, and refining the team’s tactical approach to balance defensive solidity with more fluid, attacking football. Football analysts note that Zidane’s track record of managing high-profile dressing rooms with multiple A-list stars makes him uniquely suited for the role, as he has already demonstrated his ability to resolve interpersonal conflicts and get the best out of world-class players during his tenure at Real Madrid. While some critics have pointed out that Zidane has no prior international coaching experience, most French fans and pundits have reacted positively to the expected appointment, with many noting that his deep connection to French football culture and his status as a national icon will help him build immediate rapport with both players and supporters.