Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane is clear on his future coaching plans according to Mundo Deportivo, which cited anonymous sources.
Zidane recently returned to the Bernabeu for a legends match and spoke about his 2021 departure from the dugout in quotes carried by MARCA.
To end a second stint as the club’s manager, Zidane resigned while unable to replicate the success of his first tenure which brought three consecutive Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018.
The former Ballon d’Or and World Cup winner as a player will always be highly sought after as a tactician in retirement, and has been linked to overseeing other outfits such as Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United.
Above all, though, he has never closed the door on a third roll of the dice in the Spanish capital, and seemed to leave it open with remarks made about President Florentino Perez last month.
With his former boss Carlo Ancelotti tied down in a contract until 2026, however, the Madrid hotseat could be occupied for some time.
According to Mundo Deportivo, these circumstances have allowed Zidane to be a lot clearer on his future plans.
In short, he would only be interested in managing again if it meant leading the French national team, and succeeding his former Les Bleus and Juventus colleague Didier Deschamps.
Deschamps has a contract until after the 2026 World Cup in North America, but the upcoming European Championships this summer could prove key.
If France fails to have a good tournament as seen in 2021, Deschamps might step down leaving the manager’s job vacant.
Yet if the talented team that boasts Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann performs well, he could stay on which might lead to Zidane again being employed by Madrid when Ancelotti’s contract expires providing the Italian doesn’t sign an extension.
Simultaneously, Xabi Alonso is also being linked with possibly succeeding Ancelotti if he leaves earlier in 2025.
The Spaniard recently announced he will continue at Bayer Leverkusen to the immediate disappointment of Liverpool and Bayern Munich, but there is a release clause that can be activated to acquire his services in summer next year which Perez might be interested in doing.