Real Madrid and France legend Zinedine Zidane has been without a coaching job since leaving Los Blancos in 2021.
Zinedine Zidane may finally get the opportunity to work with a player he admires and once described as someone who will “surpass everyone” – if he lands his “dream job” as national team coach.
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Zidane,
53, is a living legend having played for top clubs such as Juventus and Real Madrid, as well as helping France win the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship.
He is best known for his time at Real Madrid, where he won six trophies, including La Liga in 2002/03 and the Champions League in 2001/02.
After retiring in 2006, Zidane took a break from the spotlight before taking over as coach of Real Madrid’s youth team in 2014.
Already in 2016, he became head coach of the first team and led them to a Champions League triumph the same year, followed by a La Liga victory the following season. He left Real in 2018 but returned in 2019 to secure even more titles, including three consecutive Champions League victories.
However, since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, he has been without a coaching job, despite being linked to several clubs.
Zidane’s dream of leading France
has long been linked to his job as France’s national team manager.
Current coach Didier Deschamps will leave the position after the 2026 World Cup, and according to RMC reporter Gilbert Brisbois, it is Zidane who will take over.
Earlier this week, Brisbois told Defensa Central:
“Didier Deschamps will retire in 2026. In a year we will have Zidane! What a pleasure! It has been decided, it has been decided.”
When Zidane himself was asked about the opportunity earlier this year, he told MARCA:
“When the time comes, it will be a great pleasure if the opportunity presents itself. I’ve put my career on hold for a while, but I still feel like a coach.”
The opportunity to work with Mbappé
If Zidane gets the job, he could finally get the chance to work with Kylian Mbappé – a player he once described as someone who has the potential to “surpass anyone”.
Mbappé has also expressed his admiration for Zidane. In March, he told TF1 (via beIN SPORTS):
“He [Zidane] made history with the national team and will always have a place in the hearts of the French. I try not to talk too much about this, because that’s not my role. We already have a coach who deserves respect. My admiration for Zidane is well known, but we have to respect those who are in charge now. If he comes, it will be a tremendous joy – but it is not my decision.”
Thus, Zidane could soon have the opportunity to realize both his own dream and the potential of one of the world’s very best players.
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