The countdown has begun for Zinédine Zidane. After fourteen years under Didier Deschamps, the French national team is ready to open a new chapter in its history. The former number 10 of Les Bleus, long expected for this role, is closer than ever to becoming the next national coach. While a few administrative formalities remain, everything points to his appointment happening soon.
Didier Deschamps will play his last match in charge of Les Bleus on Saturday, facing England in the third-place match of the 2026 World Cup. This clash will mark the end of an exceptional journey that began in 2012, during which he led France to a world title in 2018, a final in 2022, and several other remarkable campaigns.
For several years, Zinédine Zidane’s name has been repeatedly mentioned as a successor. The former Real Madrid coach has always hinted that leading the French team is a major goal in his career. Despite several prestigious offers from top European clubs and national teams, he chose to wait to preserve his chances of succeeding Didier Deschamps one day.
On the administrative side, only a few steps remain before the official announcement. According to RMC Sport, the French Football Federation wants to finalize the deal before July 21. This date coincides with the implementation of a new law on the governance of French sports, which sets a salary cap for the highest-paid positions in federations, unless an exemption is granted by the Ministry of Sports.
The FFF aims to avoid any legal complications by quickly concluding the agreement with its future coach. Sports Minister Marina Ferrari has reportedly already approved an exemption. Zinédine Zidane is expected to receive a fixed salary of 300,000 euros per month, with various bonuses on top. His total earnings could reach 450,000 euros monthly depending on objectives and results achieved.
Beyond these contractual aspects, it’s mainly the sporting project of the future coach that draws attention. According to information from RMC Sport, Zidane is preparing a real transformation of the organization of Les Bleus. His ambition is to bring a new working method and modernize the national team’s operations after fourteen years of stability under Didier Deschamps.
The former Real Madrid technician wants to establish a particularly extensive support staff. His team could include more than 25 people, an unprecedented number for the French team. This expanded structure would cover all areas of performance, from physical training to mental preparation, as well as video analysis and new technologies. Such an organization would represent a significant investment for the Federation.
One of the major focuses of Zidane’s project also concerns the use of statistical data. Convinced of the importance of technology in modern football, he wants to strengthen the department dedicated to performance analysis. The data collected will be used to better prepare for matches, monitor players’ fitness, and refine the tactical choices of the coach and his staff.
Another important evolution envisioned by Zinédine Zidane is to further feminize the coaching staff of the French team. The future coach wants to integrate more women into specialized roles, particularly in performance analysis, physical preparation, and data research. This direction would mark a significant evolution in the functioning of Les Bleus.
French team: Zinédine Zidane has made a strong choice for his staff!https://t.co/kweqOuwxVg
— Foot Mercato (@footmercato) July 16, 2026
Regarding the composition of the staff, several former 1998 World Cup champions are regularly mentioned. Fabien Barthez is among the names being considered to join the adventure, although no official decision has been announced yet. Zidane is taking his time to gather the profiles that best match his vision and requirements.
One thing is certain: Zinédine Zidane wants to make his mark with his arrival. Without denying the legacy left by Didier Deschamps, he aims to inject new energy, modernize the working methods, and create an environment that can support the Blues in achieving new successes on the international stage. His tenure is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated in the recent history of the French national team.
