Yahoo Sports ‘My life is full’ – does Zinédine Zidane still want to coach Les Bleus?
He’s been pegged as the man to succeed Didier Deschamps as French national team manager for years, but it may not be a job he fancies anymore.
French legend Zinédine Zidane has not been in management since walking away as Real Madrid coach in May 2021.
Based on a recent interview with Le Figaro, it seems as though Zizou may not be so keen to take over the national team should the opportunity present itself.
“It’s been three years since I’ve been coach of Real Madrid“, Zidane says. “I was a player, I was a coach, and I was always a jack of all trades. But today, I want other things. I enjoy my life. I take care of my children, and my grandchildren too, since I recently became a grandfather. My life is full, and that’s the most important thing for me,” he says.
Deschamps’ contract expired at the end of 2022, leaving many to speculate that after 10 years on the job, his World Cup-winning teammate, Zidane, would take his place.
Instead, however, the French Football Federation (FFF) extended Deschamps’ contract until 2026.
That was followed by some comments made by then-FFF president Noël Le Graët when asked if he’d considered bringing in the former French number 10 and captain as coach.
“I wouldn’t even have taken his call,” Le Graet said. “To tell him what? ‘Hello, sir. Don’t worry. Look for another club. I just agreed a contract with Didier’.“
Many deemed that an insensitive comment, leaving a bitter taste in people’s mouths, including current captain Kylian Mbappé, who called that “a lack of respect“.
Philippe Diallo has since replaced Le Graet as FFF president and confirmed at the end of Euro 2024 that Deschamps would continue his role as manager until 2026.
Since departing as Real Madrid boss, the man who scored two headed goals to help France capture the 1998 World Cup has been approached by his share of clubs and national teams.
In early 2023, he declined an opportunity to coach the United States men’s team, one of the three World Cup co-hosts, along with Mexico and Canada in 2026.
Zidane’s teammate on the 98 and Euro 2000-winning side, Robert Pires, said he’d like to see the former Ballon d’Or winner succeed Deschamps in the future.
As Real Madrid boss, Zizou won three successive UEFA Champions League titles, a pair of La Liga crowns and two FIFA Club World Cups.
