Former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has been tipped to take over the French national team now that the Manchester United job is no longer a possibility. Ruben Amorim was announced as United’s new head coach last week, effectively ending any rumours of Zidane heading to Old Trafford in the near future.
Despite reports earlier this year suggesting Sir Jim Ratcliffe had an interest in the ex-midfielder for the head coach role, United ultimately chose Amorim following Erik ten Hag’s sacking. The Portuguese is set to begin his tenure at Old Trafford on Monday, November 11.
With many of Europe’s elite clubs also seemingly off the table for Zidane, having appointed their own managers, fans and pundits are left speculating about the next move for the French icon.
Despite his impressive trophy haul from two spells with Real Madrid, former PSG sporting director Leonardo feels Zidane’s future “lies with the French team”. In a chat with French publication Le Figaro, the 1994 World Cup winner heaped praise on Zidane, who not only clinched the Champions League and La Liga titles with Madrid as a player but also secured three European Cups and a league title as the club’s manager.
However, regardless of where Zidane ends up next, he cautioned the former Ballon d’Or recipient against taking the Brazilian national team job, reports the Manchester Evening News.
“As a player, he had such qualities in his game… Gestures that everyone remembers, and it’s no coincidence that he scored goals in World Cup and Champions League finals. He was unique on the pitch,” Leonardo said about Zidane.
Since his departure from Real Madrid three years ago, Zidane has consistently been linked with top managerial roles across Europe. From speculative connections to Manchester United to rumours of taking charge at Bayern Munich or PSG, Zidane has yet to commit to another European club, seemingly holding out for an ideal opportunity.
Zidane is also understood to have received offers from various national teams, including Brazil, where officials from the Selecao were keen on having the ex-Juventus maestro lead the five-time World Cup champions. Nonetheless, Zidane is said to have declined the proposal – a wise move according to Leonardo.
“In Brazil’s case, it’s a difficult time because there are problems with training and the federation,” Leonardo said. “Maybe it’s not the best thing for Zidane to come in charge of the Brazilian national team. Zidane’s future lies with the French team, not Brazil. It makes more sense.”
However, for Zidane’s aspirations with the French national team to become a reality, several factors need to align. The current French manager, Didier Deschamps, remains in position, with a contract extending until the 2026 World Cup.
Despite leading France to World Cup victory in 2018 and another final in 2022, where they lost to Argentina, Deschamps could still face the chop from the French federation following a poor performance at the next World Cup. Alternatively, he may choose to step down after the USA based tournament.
Regardless of the decision made by the French, it appears that Zidane is poised to take the reins of his country once more, this time from the dugout.
