Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Zinedine Zidane, France, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Football
Ryan Smart
Topics: Zinedine Zidane, France, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Football
Zinedine Zidane has been tipped to finally make a return to football management after nearly four years out of the game.
Zidane resigned as Real Madrid manager at the end of the 2020/21 season after failing to deliver Los Blancos another Champions League title.
He has been out of the game ever since, despite being linked with posts at Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.
At one stage last season, Zidane was the favourite to replace Erik ten Hag as United boss amid heavy pressure on the Dutchman.
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It had previously been reported that his lack of English would prevent him from taking such a role, though his former France team-mate Emmanuel Petit indicated that he had been taking lessons.
He also turned down the opportunity to become the head coach of the United States men's national team in 2022.
But he has now been tipped to take a new role - by the manager that is currently in charge of the side.
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In an interview with L'Equipe, France head coach Didier Deschamps has stated that Zidane appears the 'natural choice' to replace him in charge of the national team.
Deschamps has already confirmed that he will step down from his role following the 2026 World Cup, by which point he will have been in charge for 14 years.
He said: "Zizou is a very good candidate, a natural and an expected one. But then again, I don't know if he will want it."
On his own future, the 56-year-old did not rule out taking charge of a club side, explaining: "I am not tired or worn out, but I feel that I have done my time. All good things must come to an end.
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"The French team is a very good thing, because it represents twenty-five years of my professional life when I combine the two lives [as a player and manager]."
Spanish outlet Marca claimed back in December that Zidane would be open to returning to management - but only if he could take charge of France or Real Madrid.
Los Blancos manager Carlo Ancelotti's contract also expires in the summer of 2026, though Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso is currently favourite to take the role if Real decide not to extend the Italian's deal.