The wait is finally over for everyone who's been dying to see Zinedine Zidane back on the touchline. Zizou is returning to coaching, and it's not going to be at Real Madrid. Instead, he's heading home to France.
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Zidane has a verbal agreement in place to take over as France's national team coach. The timing? Right after the 2026 World Cup. That's when current boss Didier Deschamps will wrap up his final project with Les Bleus.
For five years now, people have been saying Zidane is the perfect man to lead France. The French Football Federation is finally making it happen. Once the contract is signed, the legend will be on the national team bench at last.
Why Zidane Waited So Long
Zidane left Real Madrid back in June 2021. That means he's been out of management for nearly five years. During that time, he rejected multiple offers and ignored countless approaches from big clubs.
Why? Because he had one clear goal: to coach France. Now that dream is about to come true. And honestly, it makes perfect sense for punters looking at France's long-term prospects in major tournaments.
French fans remember what Zidane meant as a player. He led France to their first World Cup victory in 1998 on home soil. He earned 108 caps for his country, winning Euro 2000 and reaching the 2006 World Cup final.
What This Means for France's Future
After his incredible success at Real Madrid, fans started demanding Zidane as their national coach. He won three consecutive Champions League titles with Madrid. His name brings everyone together - he has no real critics or opponents.
But taking the France job comes with massive pressure. At minimum, Zidane needs to match what Deschamps achieved. And Deschamps delivered consistent results, including a World Cup win in 2018 and another final appearance in 2022.
The expectations are crystal clear. Mission number one: win a World Cup. Mission number two: claim a European Championship. For betting markets, France will likely see their odds shorten for the 2028 Euros and 2030 World Cup once Zidane officially takes charge.
This appointment could reshape how bookmakers view France's tournament chances. Zidane's tactical brilliance and ability to manage superstars makes Les Bleus an even more attractive proposition for major tournament winners in the years ahead.
