Zinedine Zidane Will Only Return To Dugout To Manage Two Teams As He Spends Over 1,300 Days Without A Club - Sportsnewsfoot

Three years have passed since Zinedine Zidane last took to the dugout – but he is in no rush to return.

The France icon left his role as Real Madrid head coach for the second time in 2021, having led the Spanish giants to three Champions League titles over two separate stints in charge.

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Zidane‘s success with Los Blancos has seen him linked with some of football’s biggest jobs in the time since, including Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.

Despite this, he has steered clear of accepting any offers, instead opting to remain in Madrid, away from the spotlight.

And according to Spanish publication Marca, there are just two jobs that could see Zidane persuaded to make a return to management.

The newspaper has today reported that the 52-year-old, who has now gone over 1,300 days without a club, is only open to coaching France’s national team, or taking charge of Real Madrid for a remarkable third time.

It read: “Has Zidane left the bench?

“The answer is no, but he has very clear ideas. And they are based on just two projects: Real Madrid and the French national team.”

One of the greatest footballers of all time, Zidane is a legendary figure with both of his potential suitors.

As a player, he inspired France to both World Cup and European Championship glory in 1998 and 2000.

Prior to a successful stint as head coach, the former playmaker made over 230 appearances in five years at the Santiago Bernabeu, winning both LaLiga in 2003 and the 2002 Champions League.

And Marca stressed that Zidane’s personal history with both clubs is a key factor in his stance on returning to the dugout.

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The article continued: “It is a question of loyalty.

“Zizou, at club level, does not see himself managing any other team than the team of his life. And at national team level, the same thing.

“Only a ground-breaking project could make him rethink his ideas, but for now that has not appeared.

“We insist: Bayern, Manchester United and Juventus, among many others, have knocked on his door and he has said no to all of them.”

But Zidane may have to wait some time before either of his dream jobs become available.

With both France boss Didier Deschamps and Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti‘s contracts set to run until June 2026, there would appear to be no immediate opening for the Frenchman.

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But this is said to be no issue for Zidane, who is reportedly happy to play the long game.

Following his second Real exit, he has rebuilt his relationship with Florentino Perez after citing a lack of support from the Madrid president as one of his reasons for leaving.