Deschamps began his coaching career in 2001 at AS Monaco and, in 2004, guided the Principality club to a surprise Champions League final. In 2006 he took charge at Juventus, steering the club—which he had once captained as a player—back to Serie A after the Calciopoli scandal. Between 2009 and 2012 he managed Olympique Marseille before taking charge of Les Bleus. His crowning achievement came in 2018 when he led France to World Cup glory in Russia, and in 2021 the team added the Nations League title under his command.
A potential move to Real Madrid could now prompt a belated role reversal, since former Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane is widely expected to succeed Deschamps at the FFF.
Real are currently managed by reserve-team coach Álvaro Arbeloa, who replaced the sacked Xabi Alonso at the start of the year; the club has yet to clarify how long the former right-back’s spell in charge will last. With the risk of a trophy-less campaign growing, president Florentino Pérez may still seek a more experienced leader for his star-studded squad.
Former Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp was long considered the front-runner, but he has categorically ruled himself out. USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino and Milan’s Massimiliano Allegri are now also in the frame.