Didier Deschamps, the French national team coach, has entered the final shortlist of candidates to coach Real Madrid next season, replacing Álvaro Arbeloa, whose days at the Santiago Bernabéu appear to be numbered.
Arbeloa has failed to lead Real Madrid to title contention this season after taking over in mid-January following the dismissal of Xabi Alonso. Los Blancos currently sit second in La Liga, seven points behind leaders Barcelona, and are on the verge of elimination from the Champions League after a 2-1 defeat in the first leg of their quarter-final against Bayern Munich. His dismissal seems inevitable unless he pulls off a miracle and wins the Champions League trophy.
Florentino Pérez’s administration has been searching for a new coach to take over the team next season, and several names have been mentioned, the latest being Didier Deschamps, who decided to leave the French national team after Les Bleus’ participation in the 2026 World Cup.
Reasons for nominating Deschamps to coach Real Madrid
According to the renowned French journalist Fabrice Hawkins, Deschamps is highly regarded within Real Madrid due to his impressive track record as a coach, his exceptional ability to manage star players, and his extensive experience in major tournaments.
For Pérez, Deschamps possesses all the qualities necessary to coach Real Madrid and succeed. He is a natural leader, having been a player, and possesses a winning mentality. He also has a deep understanding of how things work within the club, having faced it many times as both a player and a coach.
Another factor that gives Deschamps an advantage over other candidates is the large number of French players at Real Madrid, all of whom have excellent relationships with him. Undoubtedly, Kylian Mbappé, in particular, would be one of the biggest beneficiaries if Deschamps were to take the helm at the Bernabéu.
It is also worth noting that Deschamps is fluent in Spanish, an added advantage that would enable him to deal effectively with the media, players, and management.
Deschamps’ experience in managing large-scale tournaments and high-pressure situations makes him an exceptional candidate in the eyes of Pérez and his entourage. Initial contact has already taken place between Real Madrid and representatives of the renowned coach, but it has not yet progressed to formal negotiations.
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Deschamps is open to the option of coaching Real Madrid
The same source also confirmed that the 57-year-old Deschamps would be very open to the opportunity to take on the prestigious role of coaching Real Madrid in the near future.
Deschamps’ contract, although he will leave France next July, runs until the end of this year, and the coach would not object to parting ways with his current contract if offered the Real Madrid job.
It is now certain that Deschamps is on the shortlist of candidates, which is reportedly headed by Zinedine Zidane, although the latter is close to taking over as coach of the French national team. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Pérez will proceed with hiring the current Les Bleus coach or consider other options.
Mauricio Pochettino, the current coach of the US national team, is also a candidate for the Real Madrid job, along with other names that will not be easy to secure, such as Enzo Maresca and Jürgen Klopp.
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Deschamps’ Coaching Career
Deschamps had an impressive playing career, representing Nantes, Marseille, and Bordeaux. His peak came with Juventus. He also played for Chelsea and Valencia before retiring in 2001. He won the 1998 World Cup with his country.
Didier Deschamps’ coaching career began immediately after his retirement as a player. He took charge of Monaco, leading them to the 2004 Champions League final against José Mourinho’s Porto. He then managed Juventus for a season, guiding them back to Serie A.
Deschamps managed Marseille from 2009 until he was offered the French national team job in 2012, replacing Laurent Blanc. His 14-year tenure as a national team coach makes him one of the longest-serving managers in football history.
As a coach, his greatest achievements include winning the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 UEFA Nations League. He also won the 2010 Ligue 1 title with Marseille, four Coupe de la Ligue titles (one with Monaco), and two Coupe de France titles with the southern French club.
