Gareth Southgate emerges as ‘shock contender’ for France job as Deschamps steps down

Gareth Southgate has emerged as a shock contender for the French job after boss Didier Deschamps announced he would stepping down after the 2026 World Cup

Gareth Southgate is one of the favourites to replace Didier Deschamps as the next France boss.

Deschamps has announced he will step down from his role following the 2026 World Cup. He led Les Blues to World Cup glory in 2018, and also took his team to the final last time out in Qatar, before losing to a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina.

France legend and former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is the bookies favourite to replace Deschamps. But Southgate is the second favourite behind him.

Southgate stepped down as England boss last summer, and is taking a break from frontline management. He took charge of England in 2016, and led them to a World Cup semi final and historic back-to-back Euros finals, losing them both.

BetVictor spokesman Sam 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. A trio of Premier League winning managers follow in Jose Mourinho (10/1), Pep Guardiola (12/1) and Jurgen Klopp (14/1).”

“In 2026 it will be over,” Deschamps told the French TV channel TF1. “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.”

Deschamps is one of three managers to win the World Cup as a manager and a player.