Sometimes after a break-up, especially a relationship as deep as that of Didier Deschamps and France, it is best to have a hiatus, some time to reflect and take stock, before diving headlong into full-blown love. But when it comes to Zinedine Zidane, France cannot help themselves.

Deschamps has been an extraordinary leader in French football: a World Cup-winning captain and coach, a man of clear dedication and national identity — someone who has tended to put the team above his ego in the pursuit of success. Even if this France team have regrets that they underachieved at this tournament, bowing out after a strangely chaotic defeat to England, the French Football Federation (FFF) made their feelings clear about a man who gave almost a quarter of a century of service by expressing “infinite gratitude”.

Ordinarily he would be a hard act to follow. Zidane, however, is far from ordinary.

Zidane’s position as the next in line is inevitable, and he is expected to start work on September 1. It has been anticipated for years. At times, when the pragmatism of Deschamps became unpopular, there was a clamour for it. At others, when Deschamps was guiding the team to finals, it was put on the back burner with the knowledge it would come eventually.

Zinedine Zidane holds aloft the World Cup in 1998 (Antonio Scorza/AFP via Getty Images)

What is interesting is that Zidane, 54, has been consciously removed from professional football for five years, and that appears to be of little concern to anyone.

Look, it’s Zizou. That is all everyone needs to know.

For anyone not too familiar with the details, a quick recap: Zidane is arguably the finest of all French players (although cases can be made for Michel Platini before or Kylian Mbappe since). A footballing artist, he is almost certainly the most charismatic, and became symbolic in a cultural as well as sporting sense that is profound in the national consciousness.

As the son of north African immigrants he wore the shirt of Les Bleus as the golden hope. Upon winning the 1998 World Cup he was so beloved his face illuminated the Arc de Triomphe as millions shouted “Zizou President” — and perhaps meant it. He was also sent off for a headbutt against an opponent who provoked him in his last ever match, which happened to be the 2006 World Cup final; his human reaction laid bare on the highest stage of all.

He went on to manage Real Madrid to astonishing success — an imperfect team won three consecutive Champions Leagues under his guidance.

What has Zidane been doing these past five years? Where has he been? How come this period of absence from football, with occasional public appearances, and even rarer comment, is an irrelevance when it comes to his suitability for the most important job in French football?

He lives his life away from scrutiny, spends time with his family, seeks out that sweet spot to have room for peace and quiet or brain-ticking purpose, restricts public interactions to his appearances at charity matches or ambassadorial work with companies with whom he has an alliance. He has continued to live in Spain since his time at Real Madrid. He is not just a father but a grandfather now.

He was content to wait in the background. Deschamps’ critics felt that the wait went on far too long. Nonetheless, the time now has come.

Marco Materazzi falls to the floor after being headbutted by Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 World Cup final (John MacDougall/AFP via Getty Images)

The documentary ‘1974, une partie de campagne’ (a day in the country) is an iconic piece of cinema in France.

The footage, from the 1974 election trail, was kept under wraps for almost three decades before it was released to significant acclaim. It shows close-up access to the key characters in French politics. One element has become quite famous. Valery Giscard d’Estaing was confident about his chances of winning the election during the run-in and was asked what he needed to do to be sure? The key, he reckoned, was to do and say nothing. That way, any unforeseen disaster would be avoided.

Zidane took himself deliberately away from football and the glare of attention and opinion since he walked away from the dugout in 2021. Although he has been in the U.S. during this World Cup, he has said nothing. His role was parental. He and his family wanted to be there to see his son, Luca, play in goal for Algeria. All four of Zidane’s sons have played football professionally. There was a compulsion to be respectful of Deschamps, the players, and what they aspired to do together without him hovering over it all like a distraction. It ensured there would be no brouhaha to blemish his comeback.

He was there at the World Cup final, one of the VVIPs positioned close to the actor Timothee Chalamet and socialite Kylie Jenner, wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap.

Zidane at the World Cup final, in a cap in the row behind Chalamet (CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images)

There is a certain class about distancing himself from the French national team during Deschamps’s swansong. Everyone in France has been more than aware of Zidane’s presence lurking off stage for the last few years. It has at times been awkward, as critics grew weary of Deschamps’s pragmatism in between Euro 2024 and this World Cup, and the length of his mandate to look after the national team.

It was something Deschamps addressed in Miami once the last dance was over. “I decided it had to end… not for my sake, but for the good of the French team. The environment surrounding me had become so toxic. The team doesn’t deserve that.”

These two greats of French football were team-mates. They held special positions within the fabric of the side as they pushed France towards their first gold star, their breakthrough world title, in 1998. Deschamps was captain, the imparter of constant encouragement. Zidane was spiritual leader and technical inspiration. It was as if Zidane was the poster boy, while Deschamps carried the poster and helped to unroll it during a summer France would never forget.

Zinedine Zidane, right, is congratulated by Didier Deschamps and Bixente Lizarazu after scoring in the 1998 World Cup final against Brazil (Patrick Hertzog/AFP via Getty Images)

The passing of the baton from Deschamps to Zidane is underpinned by extra emotion. The FFF want to ensure that Deschamps leaves with dignity, and suitable recognition for his life’s work with the national team — 290 matches as player and coach equates to roughly 30 per cent of all the games France have played since their first official fixture in 1904, which is absolutely remarkable.

Zidane gave a rare interview to L’Equipe in 2022 for a special edition in honour of his 50th birthday. He spoke for more than four hours with a journalist with whom he is close, covering all the bases of his exceptional career. It was obviously eye-catching that his wishes for a reunion with the national team came up. “It’s not finished with Les Bleus,” he said.

“I want to come full circle with the French national team. I experienced this French team as a player. And it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me! (He put his hand on his heart.) It’s the pinnacle… If it’s meant to be, it will be. When I say I want to take over the national team one day I stand by it. If the opportunity arises then I’ll be there. My deepest desire is there.”

These two French football leaders are quite different personalities. Deschamps is known to be a federation loyalist, and a little bit more of an everyman in that he could spend a lot of time going around schools and groups across the country representing Les Bleus without crazy fanfare. Zidane’s presence has a more sacred quality. There is a frisson that is half Hollywood, half religious experience whenever he shows up. His charisma is off the scale.

Technically, tactically, will there be an evolution? France are in impressive enough shape — Deschamps leaves them stronger and far more cohesive than when he picked them up in 2012. It is not like Zidane is walking into a situation that needs shaking up. As he once noted about working with elite players, he feels the essence of his job is to keep people calm. There is a natural expectation that he will want them to be expressive and bold.

Zinedine Zidane watches Brazil draw with Morocco at MetLife Stadium last month (Jewel Samad/AFP via Getty Images)

There is one foible that might need ironing out. France are sponsored by Nike and Zidane has a long-term association with Adidas, so clothing and shoe choices need sensitive management. There will be an expected wholesale change of backroom staff. Among those rumoured to be part of a new regime, the old 1998 goalkeeper Fabien Barthez is in the mix.

After five years in the shadows, it is a life change to return to the spotlight. He has all that history behind him and is now charged with taking Les Bleus, his most enduring footballing love, into a new chapter.