France is preparing for a new era following its World Cup semi-final exit, with Zinedine Zidane expected to take over as national team coach once Didier Deschamps leaves his role after the tournament.
The change comes as French football reflects on a disappointing defeat to Spain, a result that has sparked widespread criticism at home and intensified calls for fresh leadership.
Zidane Set to Lead Coaching Overhaul
Zidane, who has been out of management since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, is reportedly ready to oversee significant changes behind the scenes.
Among the expected additions is former France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, Zidane’s teammate during the country’s 1998 World Cup-winning campaign.
The pair are believed to be planning a revamped coaching structure as France looks to begin its next chapter.
Despite the growing anticipation surrounding his appointment, Zidane has not been following France’s World Cup matches in the United States.
High Expectations Await the Former Real Madrid Boss
French supporters are hoping Zidane can inject greater intensity and consistency into a squad that struggled to match Spain’s energy in the semi-final.
Several attacking players, including Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele, failed to make a meaningful impact, leaving captain Kylian Mbappe with too much responsibility in attack.
Zidane’s popularity among fans is also expected to bring renewed excitement to the national team, something many observers believe Deschamps never fully achieved despite his remarkable record.
Replacing Deschamps Will Not Be Simple
Although criticism has followed France’s latest defeat, Deschamps leaves behind an impressive legacy.
During his 14-year tenure, he guided France to three consecutive World Cup semi-finals and lifted the trophy in 2018, establishing one of the most successful eras in the nation’s football history.
Many analysts believe matching those achievements will be a considerable challenge, even for a coach with Zidane’s reputation.
Questions Raised Over France’s Performance
French media have focused on the team’s inability to compete physically and technically against Spain.
Commentators argued that several players appeared below their usual standards, while concerns were raised over the overall fitness and sharpness of the squad during the decisive match.
Although France showed greater attacking ambition than at Euro 2024, where they were also eliminated by Spain in the semi-finals, they ultimately lacked enough creative support for Mbappe.
Zidane Could Build Team Around Mbappe
Reports in France suggest Zidane enjoys a strong relationship with Mbappe, strengthened by their mutual friendship with French national team security chief Mohamed Sanhadji.
It has also been reported that Zidane views Michael Olise as a natural fit for a central attacking midfield role behind Mbappe, potentially reshaping France’s attacking system under his leadership.
His close friendship with Barthez is another factor expected to influence the composition of the new coaching staff.
Deschamps Accepts Spain Were Better
Following the 2-0 defeat, Deschamps acknowledged that Spain deserved their victory, admitting his players fell short in key areas.
He said France made too many technical mistakes and failed to capitalize on opportunities, while praising Spain for controlling the match and executing their game plan effectively.
At the same time, the outgoing coach questioned whether the referee delivered a performance worthy of a World Cup semi-final, pointing to what he considered inconsistent decision-making during the contest.
Spain’s Quality Leaves France Looking Ahead
Despite his concerns about the officiating, Deschamps did not dispute the penalty awarded after Lucas Digne fouled Lamine Yamal during the first half.
Spain’s dominance continued throughout the game, with Yamal repeatedly troubling the French defense and Rodri limiting France’s attempts to involve Mbappe in dangerous areas.
As France prepares for the tournament’s third-place playoff, attention is already shifting toward the expected arrival of Zidane, whose appointment could mark the beginning of a new chapter for one of international football’s biggest teams.
