Zidane allows himself to be loved by the French team

Since last January 8 Didier Deschamps announced the end of his time at the head of the national team after the 2026 World Cup, the name of Zinedine Zidane appears as the main favorite for his succession and, indirectly, the former coach of real Madrid he allows himself to be loved.

“The ‘bleus’ is part of his personal history. He wants to fulfill his dream,” the footballer’s entourage assured the newspaper. Le Parisien. Officially, Zizou, who lived in Madrid and away from the sporting front line, remains silent, although these leaks make it clear that the 1998 Ballon d’Or maintains his candidacy.

It is true that there is a year and a half left for Deschamps to rise from a bench he has occupied since 2012, but Zidane has indirectly warmed to a candidacy that he has shown in the past.

In June 2022, in an interview with L’Équipe before the start of the World Cup in Qatar, he was convinced that one day he would coach the team he led to its first World Cup in 1998.

Being France coach “is something I want, of course” and that “will happen one day,” he said then of the former international, adding: “When? It’s not up to me, but I want to close the circle with the national team I got to know the national team as a player and it was one of the best things that happened to me.

Those words, on the eve of a world where France He came with all the pressure of defending the title, Deschamps did not like them, seeing the name of a much-loved figure in the country appeared to be knocking on the door of his position.

The captain of the ’98 world champion and the figure of that team have never been best friends, but the relationship between the two is not bad. Kindness enough so that no one wants to harm others.

Since then, Zizou has remained silent and will continue to do so in the coming months, but through his entourage he keeps the candidacy alive: “Does he still have the desire to be a coach? Naturally, who doubts?”

It also looks like the French Football Federation (FFF) will not act for now. your president, Philippe Dialloconfirming that he had “a few names in mind but still no contact.”

“I don’t want to jump so prematurely into a succession that is not current,” added the manager, who does not want in any way to damage the work of Deschamps, who will lead his team in the Nations League, will try to qualify it for the 2026 World Cup before facing his final competition as a coach in North America.

FFF sources cited by Le Parisien are downplaying the chances of Zizou accepting another position before leading the bench in France.

They ensure that at Madrid His second start did not leave a good taste in his mouth and the natural replacement of Carlo Ancelotti was called Xabi Alonso. The options you direct Kylian Mbappé More happens because I do it in the ‘bleu’ shirt rather than the white one.

The level of popularity that Zidane in the country is an insurance for him to manage the position. A poll recently published by RTL radio claimed that 71% of football fans and 65% of the French wanted him to replace Deschamps, who 70% considered the best coach of all time.

There remains one obstacle that, according to the sports marketing specialist, Virgil Cailletshould not be specific. Since 1996 Zizou He is one of the figures of the Adidas brand, while the French team has worn the colors of Nike since 2011 for a contract of 100 million per season. Caillet are convinced that they can find elements of agreement so that neither brand is harmed