Zidane Tipped for France Job as Federation Sets Tuesday Announcement in Paris

PARIS (AP): The French Football Federation is set to reveal its new national team boss next Tuesday, with Zinedine Zidane broadly tipped to take over from Didier Deschamps.

In a statement issued yesterday, the federation said president Philippe Diallo would introduce the appointee during a news conference at its Paris headquarters.

Zidane, now 54, has been out of management since his exit from Real Madrid in 2021. During his time at the Spanish club, the former midfielder guided them to three consecutive Champions League crowns between 2016 and 2018.

Deschamps held the France post for 14 years before walking away following the World Cup, a tournament that ended for Les Bleus at the semi-final stage against Spain. Under him, France lifted the World Cup in 2018 and reached the 2022 final, losing that decider on penalties. The side also fell at the last hurdle at the European Championship in 2016, played on French soil.

As a player, Zidane pulled the strings when France claimed the 1998 World Cup, netting a brace in the 3-0 final victory over Brazil. Two years on, he was again central as the country captured the European Championship. He collected the men's Ballon d'Or in 1998.

Across 108 appearances for his country, Zidane found the net 31 times. His tally included a cheeky Panenka-style spot kick in the 2006 World Cup final, a match France lost after he was dismissed in extra time for driving his head into the chest of Italy defender Marco Materazzi.

France's schedule resumes with a Nations League trip to Turkey on September 25, followed three days later by a fixture in Belgium. Italy then visit the Stade de France on October 2.