Didier Deschamps to step down as France boss! Legendary Les Bleus manager to announce decision to leave at end of 2026 World Cup

According to L'Equipe,Deschamps, who has managed the French national team since 2012, will leave his role following the global showpiece event in 2026. The announcement, expected to be made during his appearance on the TF1 news program on Wednesday, will mark the conclusion of a remarkable 14-year tenure.

Deschamps, who led Les Bleus to World Cup glory in 2018 and a Nations League victory in 2021, has been a defining figure in French football, both as a player and as a coach. It has been suggested that his decision to leave his role at the end of his current contract has been in motion for several months. By stepping aside, he aims to give clarity to the team about the future of France’s managerial position. Under his leadership, the team also reached two major finals - the UEFA Euro 2016 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup - falling just short of victory in both.

The focus has already shifted to identifying his successor, with one name standing out among the potential candidates - Zinedine Zidane. A former France international and a footballing icon, Zidane has been widely regarded as the natural heir to Deschamps’ position. Without a managerial role since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, Zidane’s impressive coaching resume includes three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles and two La Ligas.

Deschamps will leave behind an unparalleled legacy in French football. As one of only a few individuals to have won the World Cup as both a player and a coach, his achievements will be remembered for generations. As he prepares for his final chapter with Les Bleus, he is focused on two key competitions: the Nations League, where France will face Croatia in the quarter-finals next March, and the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across Mexico, the United States, and Canada.