Next France Manager Odds: Who is in the running to replace Didier Deschamps?

Didier Deschamps has revealed that he will depart his position as France manager after next year's 2026 World Cup.

Deschamps has been at the helm of Les Bleus since 2012, during which he won the 2018 World Cup and the 2020/21 Nations League.

France has plenty of time to decide who they want to replace their long-serving boss, and there is no shortage of top-notch options for the hierarchy to contemplate. Below we've taken a closer look at some of the early contenders in the next France manager odds.

Zinedine Zidane: 2/1

No surprises here. Zinedine Zidane is the early bookmakers' favourite at 2/1 and arguably the stand-out candidate for job.

One of the most decorated club managers of his era, Zidane led Real Madrid to 11 trophies across two tenures, including a historic hat-trick of Champions League crowns and two La Liga titles.

Renowned for his exceptional man-management skills and his calm and composed demeanour, Zidane appears to be an ideal candidate to guide the French national team.

Having been out of management for nearly four years, the France job could be the perfect next chapter for the legendary Frenchman. He's already been waiting years for this opportunity; another 18 months isn't going to hurt.

Gareth Southgate: 8/1

While it’s no surprise to see Zinedine Zidane as the early favourite for the France job, the same can’t be said for the now Sir Gareth Southgate, who is a surprising second in the odds at 8/1.

If France were to appoint a non-Frenchman - a rarity not seen since Romanian Ștefan Kovács in 1973 - it’s hard to imagine they’d turn to an Englishman.

However, setting nationalism aside, Southgate boasts an impressive international resume. Between 2016 and 2024, he led England to two European Championship Finals and a World Cup semi-final, transforming a historically underperforming side into serious contenders. Beyond the results, Southgate revolutionised England’s culture, creating an environment that delivered countless memorable and magical moments for fans.

Jose Mourinho: 10/1

Jose Mourinho, currently in Turkey at Fenerbahçe, has just emerged as the surprise favourite to replace the under-fire Sean Dyche at Everton. Mourinho has spoken of his desire to return to the Premier League and could be an intriguing option for the Toffees - though time will tell if a move materialises.

Mourinho's storied managerial career has yet to see him take a job in the international area. He's long been linked with the Portugal post - which is the one he no doubt desires - but next year's vacancy in France is sure to pique his interest, with the Portuguese tactician 10/1 to succeed Deschamps.

Jurgen Klopp: 14/1

Another name bursting with star power is Jürgen Klopp, renowned for his transformative tenures at Mainz, Borussia Dortmund, and most recently, Liverpool, where he spent nine highly successful years before departing last summer.

Klopp recently stepped into a new role as Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull GmbH, starting on New Year’s Day, but his absence from the dugout inevitably fuels speculation about a return to the touchline.

At odds of 14/1, Klopp presents an intriguing prospect for the France job, and one to keep an eye on.

Christophe Galtier: 25/1

Christophe Galtier, the first Frenchman we've mentioned since Zidane, is an attractive price out at 25/1.

Galtier boasts extensive experience managing in France, having overseen PSG, Nice, Lille, and Saint-Étienne. At Saint-Étienne, he guided the club to their first major trophy in over 30 years, winning the Coupe de la Ligue. He later transformed Lille from relegation battlers into Ligue 1 champions, a stunning achievement. At PSG, Galtier managed the superstar trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé, securing a Ligue 1 title during his single season in charge.

Since 2023, Galtier has been in charge of Qatar Stars League leaders Al-Duhail and probably won't need too much persuasion to change jobs should his national team come calling.