Zinedine Zidane's Stance on Managing Marseille Ahead of Football Return

Zinedine Zidane has already made his feelings clear on managing Marseille ahead of his return to football.

Zidane, 53, will always be remembered as one of the best players to ever grace a football pitch.

During his illustrious career, the Frenchman played for teams such as Real Madrid, Cannes, Bordeaux and Juventus, making a total of 695 appearances across all competitions, scoring 125 goals.

Following his retirement from playing, Zidane had two spells managing his former side, Madrid, winning three UEFA Champions League titles among other trophies.

However, since leaving the Bernabeu back in 2021, the 53-year-old has taken a break from the sport.

Over the last few years, Zidane was linked with the likes of Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint Germain and also reportedly declined the chance to manage the United States.

Zinedine Zidane. Image: Getty

Recently, it was reported that Zidane is set to return to the game, by heading back to the Orange Vélodrome in Marseille, a club he supported when he was young, for a special family project with Universe Football.

Although details are limited, Universe Football's website appears to indicate there will be a legends match where Zidane will be front and centre.

Back in 2023, Zidane was linked with the Marseille job after Marcelino García Toral left the club.

However, as reported by Spanish news outlet Mundo Deportivo, Zidane said no to the Ligue 1 side.

It was suggested that at the time, Zidane was 'not convinced by the project that exists right now in his city'.

The report added: "But that does not mean that in the future the dream of the former Real Madrid coach and the fans of his city will end up being fulfilled."

Speaking about his love for Marseille last year, Zidane told Mamadou Niang for Canal+ Afrique: "When I was little, I used to come to the stadium. From 11 to 14, I used to go there with my friends, to the Virage Nord, below the scoreboard. I saw my idols play: Enzo Francescoli, Karl-Heinz Forster, all those crazy players who played for Marseille.

"I was a Marseille supporter, I'm still passionate about Marseille."