CORNERFLICK
Zinedine Zidane is reported to be in line to take over France after the 2026 World Cup, with Fabrizio Romano saying an oral agreement has been reached between the former Real Madrid boss and the French federation.
The update came hours after the federation confirmed Didier Deschamps will leave his post at the end of the tournament. Deschamps has led France since 2012 and will step aside after 14 years in charge.
According to reports, the arrangement has been in place for some time, but the federation held off on naming its next head coach out of respect for Deschamps. Philippe Diallo, the federation president, recently said the successor had already been chosen, without naming him.
Zidane has not taken a job since leaving Real Madrid in 2021 and has turned down several offers from clubs and national teams. Reports in Europe say France has always been his preferred destination.
If the move is finalised, he would inherit a squad built around Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Aurélien Tchouaméni and William Saliba.