Zidane Confirms Ambition to Coach France

Zinedine Zidane said on Sunday that he would like to coach the French national team someday, but he did not indicate whether he intends to succeed outgoing manager Didier Deschamps.

Zidane, who netted two goals in France’s victory over Brazil in the 1998 World Cup final, previously guided Real Madrid to three Champions League titles during his only senior coaching position.

Zidane Confirms Ambition to Coach France — Soccer Football – Champions League – Semi Final Second Leg – Chelsea v Real Madrid – Stamford Bridge, London, Britain – May 5, 2021 Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane REUTERS/Toby Melville

“I’m sure I’ll get back into coaching,” Zidane said at an event organised by Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I’m not saying it’s going to happen now, what I want one day is to coach the national team.”

The 53-year-old is the top candidate to succeed Deschamps when the 2018 World Cup-winning coach steps down after the tournament next year in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

“The most important thing is to have a passion for football and to want to pass on something to your players, what you have in you, deep within you,” added Zidane, whose second spell in charge of Real Madrid ended in 2021.

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