Zinedine Zidane Faces Immediate Dilemma After New Managerial Role 'Confirmed'

Zinedine Zidane is set to face an immediate dilemma amid reports that he has secured a return to management.

Zidane has been out of management since leaving Real Madrid for a second time in 2021.

He spoke at the Trento Sports Festival last month and confirmed that he wanted to be the head coach of the France national team in the future.

Didier Deschamps is set to depart the role at the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, and AS reporter Jose Felix Diaz claims that Zidane will be his replacement 'as soon as the tournament concludes'.

He adds that Zidane's impending appointment is 'generating excitement in France', with the former France midfielder lifting the World Cup in 1998 and reaching the final in 2006 in what was his last career appearance.

Once in the role, his main focus will be on guiding France safely to the 2028 edition of the European Championships - a tournament they last won in 2000, with Zidane playing a key role.

But there will be plenty of other issues off-the-pitch for Zidane to take responsibility for, such as squad selection.

According to beIN Sports, Zidane may have to intervene immediately to prevent one of France's top talents from switching their international allegiance.

It is claimed that Algeria have contacted 18-year-old midfielder Ethan Mbappe - the brother of Real Madrid and France star Kylian - over the possibility of representing them ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Algeria have already qualified for the tournament through the African section, winning eight of their 10 group matches.

Mbappe left PSG in the summer of 2024 - shortly before Kylian joined Real Madrid - and signed for fellow Ligue 1 side Lille.

His 2025/26 season has been disrupted by injury and he has been limited to just five substitute appearances in the French top flight, but he has scored twice - including against former club PSG.

The 19-year-old, therefore, clearly won't be an option for France at the 2026 World Cup barring a major upturn in form, but regular gametime in Ligue 1 could help him to fulfil his promise over the coming seasons.

Algeria have already convinced Manchester City's Rayan Ait-Nouri, Al-Ittihad's Houssem Aouar and Zidane's son, Luca, to switch international allegiance having represented France at youth levels.

Mbappe has played for France at U19 level, and French officials will now have to decide - potentially with Zidane's input - whether Mbappe has the potential to make it into the senior squad.

It is claimed that Algeria have already contacted Mbappe's mother, Fayza Lamari - who was born in France to Algerian parents - over the change.

His mother's connection meant that Kylian could have represented Algeria at international level, but he chose France and revealed in 2023 that he didn't have any contact with the federations of Cameroon, where his father was born, or Algeria.