France coach Didier Deschamps has confirmed he will step down after the 2026 World Cup, with Zinedine Zidane said to be the favorite to take over.
Deschamps joined Les Bleus in 2012 after years of turmoil in the national team set-up, steadying the ship and re-establishing France as one of the dominant forces in world football, winning the 2018 World Cup and reaching the final in 2022.
2026 will be Deschamps' last chance to add to that tally after the boss confirmed he will let his contract expire and leave after the tournament.
“I have been here since 2012 and I will stay until 2026 and the next World Cup,” he said. TF1. “But it's going to end here because it has to. In my mind, it's clear. 2026, that's fine.
“You never want a good thing to end, but you have to know when to stop. There is life after this, I don't know which one, but it will still be very good. Fourteen years is a long time. The most important thing is that France to stay in charge for several years”.
Teamwho state that Deschamps made his decision several months ago, believe that Zidane is the leading candidate to take over in 2026. The former Real Madrid coach is known to be keen to take charge of Les Bleus after years of speculation.
Thierry Henry, who resigned as France Under-21 coach in the summer, is also seen as a possible candidate.