Zidane Breaks His Silence on Return to Football And The Two Teams He Wants to Manage

Zinedine Zidane is holding out for his 'dream' job having been out of football management since 2021.

Zidane returned to Real Madrid as a manager following his legendary playing career, which included a stint at the Spanish giants.

He coached Real Madrid Castilla (the club's B team) before being appointed Real manager in January 2016.

Across two spells as Real manager, Zidane won an impressive three Champions Leagues and two La Liga titles.

But he resigned from his post after failing to win a trophy in the 2020/21 season.

Zidane has been out of management ever since but has been linked with a series of positions, including the Manchester United job.

He plans on returning to management in the near future as he has his eyes on coaching the France national team.

Zinedine Zidane won three Champions League titles during his spell as Real Madrid manager. Image: Getty

On his future, Zidane said: "I will definitely return to coaching. Me at Juventus? I don't know why it didn't happen. I always have him in my heart, because he gave me so much. In the future.

"I don't know, one of my goals is to coach the French national team... We'll see."

Didier Deschamps is currently at the helm of France, but he will step down after next summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

He is France's longest-serving coach, having been in charge since 2012.

He led Bleus to World Cup glory in 2018 and reached the final in 2022, losing to Argentina on penalties.

Zinedine Zidane won the World Cup with France as a player. Image: Getty

Given Zidane's record at Real, as well as his history with France, which includes winning the World Cup - he seems like an ideal candidate to replace Deschamps once his reign is over.

The 53-year-old earned 108 caps for France and won the World Cup in 1998 on home soil. He also won the European Championship in 2000.

Although Deschamps and Zidane shared the pitch as teammates for both Juve and France, rumours have suggested that they don't see eye to eye.

But Deschamps dismissed speculation he has beef with Zidane, claiming there is a lot of respect between them.

"Another great preconceived idea," he began. "We spent a lot of years together. There is still a lot of respect between us. By the way, the last time we saw each other, we exchanged and talked well... there is still, on both sides, a form of recognition of each other’s success.

"I am not one of his intimate friends. We both have our own lives but whatever happens, there will always be respect between us."