It's most likely Zidane will replace Deschamps as France coach

Follow-up - INA

Zinedine Zidane, the French football legend, has become the most prominent candidate to succeed Didier Deschamps as coach of the French national team.

According to reports from French newspapers L'Equipe and Le Parisien, Zidane is the closest to leading France after the 2026 World Cup, unless Zizou backs down from his desire to coach Les Bleus.

Zidane has been without a team since resigning as Real Madrid coach in 2021 following a trophyless season, rejecting offers from major European clubs such as Manchester United and Bayern Munich.

Le Parisien said: "There is no clearer candidate than Zizou, whose appointment would boost Les Bleus' popularity, according to the French Football Federation."

It added, "Thierry Henry may try to present himself as a candidate after leading the French Olympic team to the silver medal at the Paris Olympics, but the president of the French Federation, Philippe Diallo, had hoped that Henry would continue to lead the French Under-21 team until Euro 2025, but he resigned from his position.".

In the same context, L'Equipe reported that the French Football Federation does not expect to appoint a non-French coach, so all indications point to the appointment of Zidane.