Gareth Southgate is among the favourites to replace Didier Deschamps as the next France manager.
Southgate left his role as England boss following the summer’s Euro 2024 final defeat against Spain and is yet to return to management.
He spent eight years in charge of England, helping them reach two European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final during his tenure.
Southgate was knighted for his efforts as national team manager, but could the 54-year-old be about to switch allegiances and join one of England’s fiercest rivals?
According to BetVictor spokesman Sam Boswell, it’s a distinct possibility, with Southgate currently among the favourites to replace Deschamps.
Speaking to The Daily Star, Boswell said: “Following the news of Didier Deschamps stepping down from the France job after the World Cup in 2026, Zinedine Zidane is favoured to take up the role next at 2/1.
“He heads the market, followed by Gareth Southgate at 8/1.”
Commenting on other potential hires, they added: “A trio of Premier League winning managers follow in Jose Mourinho (10/1), Pep Guardiola (12/1) and Jurgen Klopp (14/1).”
It comes after Deschamps announced his intention to step down as France manager at the end of the 2026 World Cup.
First taking charge in 2012, Deschamps’ first tournament as France boss came at the 2014 World Cup, where they were beaten in the quarter-finals.
A Euro 2016 final appearance on home soil followed two years later, before Deschamps guided France to the 2018 World Cup, beating the likes of Argentina, Belgium and Croatia en-route to victory.
Speaking to French outlet TF1, he said: “In 2026 it will be over. In my head it’s very clear. I’ve done my time, with the same desire and passion to maintain France at the highest level but 2026 is [a] very good [time to stop].
“One has to be able to say stop, there’s a life after this. The most important [thing] is for France to stay at the top as they have been for many years.”
Southgate taking the job would certainly come as a surprise, not least because each of the last 10 France managers have all been French.
Should Southgate be offered the chance to take charge of France, he wouldn’t be the first Englishman to have coached Les Bleus.
Sid Kimpton, a former Southampton striker from Watford, had been involved in France’s coaching set-up during the early 1930s, but rather much like Southgate, was said to be heavily criticised for his tactical approach.
