Didier Deschamps will step down as the manager of the French national football team following their 2-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup semifinals on Tuesday. His departure marks the end of a 14-year tenure that saw France achieve significant success, including a World Cup title in 2018 and the 2021 UEFA Nations League championship. The team will play in the third-place match on Saturday, which will serve as Deschamps' final game in charge.
Under Deschamps, France also reached the finals of Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup. He holds the tournament records for most World Cup victories by a manager with 20, and most knockout stage wins with 10.
Zinedine Zidane is reportedly set to succeed Deschamps as the head coach. According to ESPN, a verbal agreement has been reached between the former Real Madrid manager and the French Football Federation (FFF), though final contract details are still being negotiated. FFF president Philippe Diallo had previously indicated that a successor had been identified.
Zidane, a legendary figure for France with 108 caps and a World Cup winner in 1998, previously managed Real Madrid from 2016 to 2018 and again from 2019 to 2021, leading the club to multiple Champions League titles. He also coached Real Madrid Castilla from 2014 to 2016.