Zinedine Zidane’s managerial career went off to a flier after his successful stint with Real Madrid. He is famous mostly for the 3-peat he achieved in the Uefa Champions League, a feat no other manager or club side has ever managed to achieve. After this feat, something that the great Pep Guardiola or Jose Mourinho never came close to, he was regarded as one of the finest managers around.
After winning 11 trophies in six years (two separate stints) with Real Madrid, he stepped down as manager and decided to bid his time. Ever since several club sides had attempted to bring him in as their manager but the French legend turned them down.
Just before the World Cup, there was news flying around that he would replace Didier Deschamps after the World Cup and that agreements were already in place. The French national team reached the final of the tournament where they were defeated by Argentina on penalties, and then it came to the point where the news of Deschamps resignation was expected but never came.
Just yesterday, 8th January 2023, it was confirmed by the French Football Federation president, Noel Le Graet that Didier Deschamps will continue to be the coach of the French national team. In a press release, Noel La Graet said that he did not care which management job the former captain took next, as well as saying he did not believe Zidane was ever in the running to take over Les Bleus and that he would not have answered his call.
It was also reported that the ex-Real Madrid boss had rejected an advance from USA, Brazil, and Portugal before being turned down by the French national team with Didier Deschamps extending his stay until 2026.
With these recent updates, does it suggest that Zinedine Zidane is not willing to leave his comfort zone? If the circumstances of his stints with Real Madrid are going to be taken into consideration, then we are not far from being right.
Before Manchester United appointed Ralf Rangnick, they contacted Zinedine Zidane about the vacant role but he turned them down. Reports suggested that he was not willing to take a turbulent job.
It is now left to be seen whether he will eventually accept a job offer or he will wait until Didier Deschamps leaves his post. There are murmurs that he’s an opportunist manager who’s only looking for a soft landing spot, what do you reckon?