Zinedine Zidane 'close' to dream job with France as Didier Deschamps pressure at Les Blues cranks up

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Zinedine Zidane is reportedly edging closer to landing the France job in a dream role with current manager Didier Deschamps feeling the heat between player disputers and poor performances.

Deschamps, who guided Les Bleus to World Cup glory in 2018 and to the final in 2022, has come under fire of late and the situation has escalated to the point where he has dropped Kylian Mbappe from the squad for the upcoming Nations League matches, leading to reports that the superstar is considering quitting the national team in protest against Deschamps. And it seems Mbappe isn't the only one growing tired of the France boss' leadership style.

With France set to host Israel and then travel to Italy for their final Nations League group stage matches next week, it appears Deschamps will also be battling to keep his job. Reports from France suggest that the national team players have had enough of the current boss and his methods, and are now advocating for Zidane to step in as his successor, reports the Mirror.

Zidane, who was previously considered for the Manchester United job before Ruben Amorim took the reins, has been out of work since leaving Real Madrid in 2021. During his time there, he led the team to two La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues across two stints at the helm. The former World Cup champion has long expressed interest in the France job and would be a prime candidate to succeed Deschamps. The current Les Bleus manager's contract extends until the 2026 World Cup, and he received public support from the French Football Federation following Euro 2024.

In addition to his ongoing dispute with Mbappe, Deschamps was also taken aback by Antoine Griezmann's unexpected retirement from international football in September. Deschamps has led France for 12 years, but his tenure appears to be under serious threat.

The 56-year old-has staunchly defended his decision to exclude Mbappe from his latest squad.

Deschamps cited his poor form at Madrid as the reason, although his remarks were made before news of Mbappe's discontent surfaced.

He said: "I've had several exchanges with him. I reflected and I took this decision for this camp here because I think that it's better like that. I'm not going to argue. Kylian wanted to come and it's not non-sporting problems that are taken into account.

"It's a choice, I repeat, that is occasional, for this camp and the two matches that we have. I'm not going to tell you more for the reason that we have a camp with two matches with a goal that I set myself and which I stay with also, which is important.

"I know that there's more of a tendency to highlight the negatives, but that's not specific to the French national team. I repeat: it's my decision because I think it's better like that. I take responsibility for this decision, which is taken in absolute."

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