Football legend Zinedine Zidane has confirmed his desire to one day manage the France national team. However, he stopped short of saying whether he plans to replace outgoing coach Didier Deschamps immediately.
The former Real Madrid boss, who famously scored twice in France’s 1998 World Cup final victory over Brazil, shared his thoughts during an event organized by Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I’m sure I’ll get back into coaching,” Zidane said. “I’m not saying it’s going to happen now, but what I want one day is to coach the national team.”
The 53-year-old, who guided Real Madrid to an incredible three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles, is widely considered the favorite to succeed Deschamps when he steps down after next year’s tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Zidane also reflected on what makes a great coach, saying:
“The most important thing is to have a passion for football and to pass on something to your players — what you have deep within you. A coach’s energy and desire are 80 percent of a team’s success.”
Zidane’s last stint in management ended in 2021 when he left Real Madrid for the second time. Fans around the world continue to anticipate his long-awaited return to the dugout — possibly as Les Bleus’ next head coach.
