Serie A Icon Prepares For Return To Management As Frenchman Edges Closer To National Team Job

Zinedine Zidane is set to make his long-awaited return to management, as the former Juventus star is reportedly in line to replace France manager, Didier Deschamps.

Where Has Zinedine Zidane Been?

The French soccer icon is widely-considered to be one of the best players of all-time, becoming a club legend at both Real Madrid and Juventus, while dominating for the French national team.

Between 1996 to 2001, the maverick midfielder donned the Juventus jersey, contributing to 82 goals in 212 appearances (31G + 51A) and winning two Serie A titles, UEFA Supercup and Supercoppa Italiana.

In 1998, Zidane won the two of the biggest prizes in soccer, lifting the World Cup with France and earning the coveted Ballon d’Or award – pipping Davor Suker and Ronaldo.

Zidane would go on to join Real Madrid in 2001 for a record fee of around €77.5 million and the Frenchman went on to win the Champions League, La Liga and two Copa del Rays.

After five-years in Madrid, Zidane retired from soccer and after 10-years away from Los Blancos, the Frenchman returned in January 2016 to take the managerial reins in the Spanish capital.

During his two spells with Real Madrid, Zidane won three Champions Leagues, two La Liga titles, two FIFA Club World Cups, two Copa de Espana and two UEFA Supercups – while also being crowned FIFA Best Coach on two occasions.

After his second run as Madrid manager came to an end in June 2021, many expected the Frenchman to find a new job right away, with many expecting clubs to be queuing up.

However, this was not the case and Zidane has not taken a managerial role since, instead taking time to focus on his family and investing in French side, Rodez.

The managerial market has seen multiple changes in recent weeks, with Erik ten Hag, Jose Mourinho and Nuno Espirito Santo all suffering surprise sackings – with Santo already attracting interest from Serie A.

Despite this current merry-go-round of managers, Zidane is reportedly keen on returning to the dugout and is set to jump in the deep end right away.

Will Zinedine Zidane Manage France?

Didier Deschamps has led the French national team since July 2012, taking charge of 171 matches and winning the 2018 World Cup in Russia – before losing in the final four-years later.

However, his contract with Les Bleus is set to expire in June 2026, as his deal was not extended following a semi-final defeat to Spain at Euro 2024.

The 56-year-old has now decided that he will not be extending his contract and a new coach will be brought in to replace Deschamps – leaving Zidane as the most likely candidate.

French superstar, Kylian Mbappe, has commented on the possibility of playing under the 1998 Ballon d’Or winner and revealed that the only person that could stop it is Zidane himself.

Mbappe said (Via L’Equipe): “It’s Zidane. Only he can say no. “Zidane is a story that only happens once. He is the only one in the history of football who can do anything.

“You can just admire his grandeur. No one will be able to repeat it, have that image: a special era, a special image, a special player.”

Jose Mourinho has also been tipped to become the next France manager, however, the Portuguese coach is eyeing up a Serie A return after parting ways with Fenerbahce.

Both coaches have enjoyed great success at club level, especially with Real Madrid, but neither Zidane or Mourinho have taken the reins of a national team.