'A very good candidate' - Zinedine Zidane handpicked by Didier Deschamps to replace him as France boss amid ex-Real Madrid coach's long absence from the game

In a discussion with the French media, Deschamps was asked for his opinion on Zidane potentially becoming the next national coach, which would mark the former Real Madrid boss' first return to management since leaving the Bernabeu for the second time in 2021.

Deschamps has been at the helm for Les Bleus since 2012, delivering the World Cup in 2018 and also taking the team to the final at Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup. But it was confirmed recently that he will be stepping down at the end of the next tournament in 2026. Zidane has long been the most prominent candidate, having demonstrated his credentials with three Champions League titles in two-and-a-half years in his first spell at Real Madrid. But his second spell was considerably less successful and his time out of football management has been substantial.

"There is a lot of respect between us," Deschamps said of Zidane to L'Equipe and other French media. "We saw each other last time in the summer of 2023, we should see each other again next summer, for the same reasons. Zizou is a very good candidate, natural and I would add expected. Afterwards, I don't know if he will want to."

Speaking on the subject in 2022, Zidane noted "I want it", in reference to the France job. He knew it was a waiting game back then, but now there is at least a firm timeframe in place over when it will actually be available. Another 18 months biding his time.