Zinedine Zidane linked with huge return to football management nearly four years after leaving Real Madrid
Zinedine Zidane has been linked with a return to football management after nearly four years out of the game, it has been reported.
Zidane ended his second and most recent spell at Real Madrid in 2021 after failing to win a trophy in his final season.
The legendary midfielder won three Champions League titles with Real during his first spell in charge, and lifted La Liga in 2017 and 2020.
He has been linked with numerous vacancies since then, with reports last year claiming that he was the favourite to replace Erik ten Hag if he was sacked as Manchester United manager. The Red Devils instead decided to appoint Ruben Amorim from Sporting Lisbon.
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But now, Zidane has reportedly closer than ever to sealing his return to management - but it is not with a club side.
French outlet Le Parisien report that Zidane is favourite to take over from Didier Deschamps as the manager of the France men's national team.
The role is set to commence after the 2026 World Cup, with Deschamps, as per L'Equipe, believed to be calling a press conference on Wednesday to announce that he will vacate his position after the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Deschamps has been in charge of the national team since 2012 and is one of the most successful managers in the country's history, becoming only the third man to win a World Cup as a player and as a coach.
Last month, Spanish outlet Marca claimed that Zidane would only be willing to return to management if two jobs were offered to him - either Real Madrid or France.
It was reported that Zidane 'does not see himself managing any other team than his team of his life [Real] and at national team level', with only a 'groundbreaking' project potentially causing him to reconsider his stance amid previous rejections of Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Juventus.
Topics: Zinedine Zidane, Champions League
Ryan Smart