Zinedine Zidane's Return To Football Hits Huge Stumbling Block

French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo has cast doubt on the prospect of Zinedine Zidane being appointed as Les Blues manager.

It has long been thought that Zidane will take Didier Deschamps' position as France boss at the end of the 2026 World Cup.

‘Zizou’ has not taken a managerial post since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, despite having been the subject of numerous approaches, and there has long been an assumption that he will take the reins from the outgoing Deschamps next summer.

However, speaking to L’Equipe, Diallo has cast doubt on the prospect of Zidane being appointed as Les Blues boss.

“Lots of things can happen and not things that people would maybe expect,” Diallo said.

“I have already said it, I have a lot of admiration and respect for Zidane, both for what he has done for French football, as well as for what he has shown as a manager, by winning trophies.

“But everything has its time. For now, we are preparing for the World Cup.”

Diallo added that the announcement of Deschamps successor could come before the World Cup, rather than after the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

"There are only two windows [to announce a new manager]. Either at the end of the World Cup, or a slightly earlier window, sufficiently far removed from the final stages of the tournament” Diallo explained.

Zinedine Zidane

“An option could be at the end of the first quarter of 2026, around March-April, to be far enough away from the final stages of the tournament. I don't want any disruption.”

In January, Deschamps announced he would step down from his role as France manager.

The 57-year-old, is France’s longest serving coach, having been in charge since 2012. He has since led Les Bleus to victory at the 2018 World Cup as well as reaching the final of the 2022 tournament and Euro 2016.