Many current Real Madrid supporters, including star player Jude Bellingham, regard themselves as lifelong Madridistas, inspired by Zinedine Zidane, who was a key player during the Galacticos era in the early 2000s.
Zidane later became a legendary manager for Real Madrid. He started as Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant and then achieved remarkable success, winning three consecutive Champions League titles before returning to win another La Liga title from Lionel Messi’s grasp.
After leaving Real Madrid for a second time due to exhaustion during the challenging 2020/21 season, Zidane’s main ambition as a manager was to lead the French national team.
Zinedine Zidane will soon coach France
Now, his aspiration has come true. He has turned down offers from clubs like PSG, Manchester United, and Juventus over the years. According to French outlet RMC Sport, Zinedine Zidane has reached an agreement with the French Federation to become the next coach of Les Bleus, succeeding Didier Deschamps. He will officially take over after the 2026 World Cup.
Fans of Real Madrid and the French national team wanted to see their greatest player, the hero of the 1998 World Cup, take charge, especially as Deschamps faced criticism for his cautious tactics.
Although Real Madrid supporters never saw the current top French star, Kylian Mbappe, and Zidane together in Spain, they will have the chance to see them work together for France, which is a close alternative.
Zidane’s long-standing interest in the French national team job has been evident for years. However, France remained committed to Deschamps. With 2026 approaching, there is now a clear opportunity for change. After stepping back following a demanding season with Real Madrid, Zidane, who deserves recognition for the Champions League victory the year after his resignation, is now prepared to chase national glory again.
For Zidane, coaching France is also a way to overcome the difficult memories of the 2006 World Cup, where, despite being the tournament’s best player, his infamous red card in the final against Italy left a mark on his international career.