Zinedine Zidane has reportedly turned down an extraordinary €100 million, one-year coaching offer from Saudi Arabia, according to L’Équipe, as he remains focused on the prospect of managing the France national team.
Despite persistent efforts by Saudi football officials to entice the former Real Madrid coach back into the dugout, Zidane is staying true to his long-standing goal of taking charge of Les Bleus.
He is widely regarded as the leading candidate to replace Didier Deschamps, who is expected to step down after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Zidane—who won the World Cup as a player in 1998 and clinched three Champions League titles as a coach—has not taken up a managerial role since leaving Real Madrid for the second time in 2021.
Although he has received multiple offers from European clubs, including a previous bid to succeed Marcelino at Marseille, Zidane has chosen to remain on the sidelines in anticipation of the France role.
His potential appointment has already been publicly endorsed by captain Kylian Mbappé, who stated, “I no longer have to prove my love for [Zinedine] Zidane. If he arrives [France national team], it would be a great pleasure. I’d be extremely happy but it is not my decision.”
