Zinedine Zidane: Real Madrid Legend Shares Insight About His Desire to Return to Coaching

• Zinedine Zidane is poised to return to management after his long break from coaching since his last role at Real Madrid
• The 51-year-old, despite his absence from the sidelines, has been a highly-sought-after coach by top clubs across Europe
• He has only coached Real Madrid and its Castilla side, with his average term as a manager being an eye-popping 1.77 years

Former Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, has hinted that he desires to return to coaching after a three-year hiatus.

The iconic midfielder's last coaching gig was a two-year stint with Los Blancos. He left his post after the 2020–21 season, having mentored his side in 114 games.

Since June 30, 2021, Zidane has not taken charge of any team despite being linked with various top European clubs, including Premier League side Manchester United.

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According to a report from French publication L'Equipe, Zidane declined opportunities to coach the Algerian national team despite feeling "honoured" by the interest from his parents' homeland.

The report also indicates that Zizou turned down offers from Brazil and the United States.

However, former Denmark star Thomas Gravesen, who was Zidane's teammate at Madrid, revealed that the 51-year-old preferred returning to the Santiago Bernabeu for a third stint, Olympique Marseille, and the French national team.

Unfortunately for him, all three positions currently have incumbents.

Zidane expresses desire to return to coaching

After much speculation about his next move, the 1998 World Cup winner has once again expressed his desire to return to coaching.

"Although it takes a lot of energy from me, the break from coaching has become too long,” he told Carre, as quoted by Football Espana.

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He explained that, while the job may be exhausting, he misses being on the sidelines.

“Life as a coach tires me, even though I miss it a little. But I’m having a good time. We’ll see when I return to coaching.”

Why Zidane rejected United coaching role?

In 2021, Manchester United reportedly made a concerted effort to lure Zinedine Zidane to England amid Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's struggles.

According to reports in England at the time, the Man United board initiated discussions with the French manager regarding the possibility of assuming the helm at Old Trafford.

However, Zizou's wife, Veronique Zidane, opposed the idea, as reported by Sports Brief.

She expressed reluctance to relocate to Manchester and instead advocated for her husband to take an extended hiatus from football to explore alternative opportunities.