‘It's a dream… I can't wait': Zinedine Zidane on taking over French national team's coaching role
Footballing great and French veteran Zinedine Zidane said it would be a 'dream' job taking over the coaching duties of the France national team. The 52-year-old is reportedly set to succeed as the coach of France after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This development came after the Les Bleus' long-time coach Didier Deschamps announced his departure post the 2026 World Cup set to be played in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Deschamps has been in charge of the French side since 2012 and has led the French national team to the World Cup title in 2018 and the final in 2022.
'I feel qualified for the French team, where I played and spent practically 12, 13, 14 years as a player. Of course it's a dream. I can't wait,' said Zidane as the French media reported.
'I feel 100 per cent ready to coach. Of course, it's a desire. But there's a coach, there's a team, and we have to respect everything, and that's what we do. But when the time comes, it will be a great pleasure if the opportunity presents itself,' he added, as was quoted by Marca.
Zidane also praised the 17-year-old Spanish and Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal. 'When you see him play, for example, the semi-final against Inter Milan. I've never seen anything like that in my life. Just watch someone who has such a command of his craft on the pitch. It's fabulous to see him like that. We all had fun with him, and that's why, for all these young players, Lamine is the one to watch,' said the former captain of France, Zidane, who led his country to the World Cup title in 1998.
Yamal, at such a young age, has astonishing talent. He has already won the Euro Cup with the Spanish national team in 2024, where they beat England 2-1 in the final. Yamal was the young player of the tournament. This season, he has won the domestic treble with Barca after winning the La Liga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup alongside a creditable semifinal run in the UEFA Champions League before losing 7-6 in a two-leg thriller against Inter Milan.
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