India, Feb. 22 -- Zinedine Zidane could be on course for a long anticipated return to the dugout, with France emerging as his next destination once the 2026 FIFA World Cup ends. According to Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb, citing transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Zidane has reached a verbal understanding to take over the France national team after the tournament, a timeline that would align with Didier Deschamps completing his current cycle in charge.

If the plan holds, it would mark Zidane's first job since he stepped away from club coaching in 2021 following his second spell at Real Madrid. In the years since, the 53 year old has repeatedly been linked with high profile openings across Europe, but has remained selective, often seen ...