Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane is reported to have clear plans for his coaching future, as per sources cited by Mundo Deportivo. Following his recent return to the Bernabeu for a legends match, Zidane spoke about his departure from the club’s dugout in 2021, where he resigned after failing to replicate the success of his initial tenure that yielded three consecutive Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018. Despite being highly sought after as a tactician in retirement, Zidane has been linked to coaching roles at clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United, although he has not ruled out a potential return to Real Madrid, leaving the door open with recent comments about President Florentino Perez.
However, with current Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti tied down to a contract until 2026, Zidane’s potential return to the Spanish capital may not be immediate. Mundo Deportivo reports that Zidane has a clearer view of his future plans, indicating that he would only be interested in returning to coaching if it meant leading the French national team and potentially succeeding his former teammate Didier Deschamps. Deschamps, who has a deal until after the 2026 World Cup, might step down if France fails to perform well in the upcoming European Championships this summer, creating a vacancy for the national team manager’s role.
In the event that Deschamps steps down and Zidane takes over the French national team, it could open up the possibility of Zidane returning to Real Madrid when Ancelotti’s contract expires, assuming the Italian does not sign an extension. Additionally, former Real Madrid player Xabi Alonso has been linked as a potential successor to Ancelotti if he were to leave earlier than expected in 2025. Alonso, currently at Bayer Leverkusen, has a release clause that could be activated to acquire his services, with Perez possibly considering this option in the summer of next year.
Overall, Zidane’s coaching future seems to be focused on potentially leading the French national team and following in the footsteps of his former teammate Didier Deschamps. While there may be opportunities for him to return to Real Madrid in the future, the timeline for this move remains uncertain, especially with Ancelotti currently under contract until 2026. With various possibilities and scenarios playing out in the world of football management, it will be interesting to see where Zinedine Zidane’s coaching journey ultimately takes him.
