Zinedine Zidane set to sign France manager contract next week

Zinedine Zidane to finalize France manager deal by 21 July

Zinedine Zidane is days away from becoming France’s next national team manager.

The French Football Federation wants the contract signed by 21 July, according to RMC Sport. The deal is ready but not yet inked, with Zidane’s arrival expected to be announced within days of the 2026 World Cup’s conclusion.

Didier Deschamps will finish his second stint in charge on 12 July, when France faces England in the World Cup third-place play-off. Deschamps, who took over in 2012, had aimed to lead France in the 12 July final but will now exit after losing to Spain in the semi-finals on 8 July.

What’s changing under Zidane’s leadership

Zidane will arrive with a far bigger staff than Deschamps. Twenty-five new backroom hires are expected to join him, including a push to make the team more gender-balanced. The former Real Madrid boss wants a deeper technical setup to support France’s next generation.

The shift marks a clear break from Deschamps’ leaner structure. Where Deschamps relied on a tight group, Zidane is building a larger squad of specialists-from analysts to fitness coaches-to match France’s ambitions.

Why the timing matters

The FFF is racing to finalize the deal before 21 July. That date aligns with the end of the World Cup window, giving France a clean handover. Zidane’s arrival will also reset the squad’s preparation for Euro 2028 qualifiers.

France’s World Cup exit on 8 July leaves Deschamps without the farewell he sought. His final game will now be the third-place play-off, a step down from his original plan.

What comes next for France

Once the contract is signed, Zidane will name his full backroom team. The FFF’s push for a more inclusive staff could reshape how France develops young players. The federation’s urgency suggests they view this as a long-term project, not a short-term fix.

France’s next major test comes in September, when Euro 2028 qualifiers begin. Zidane’s first squad selection will signal how quickly he plans to overhaul Deschamps’ legacy.