Football legend Zinedine Zidane has officially ended speculation about his future, confirming his intention to return to the managerial dugout after a four-year hiatus. The former Real Madrid boss and three-time Champions League-winning coach revealed that he will “definitely return to coaching” and set his sights on his ultimate ambition: leading the French national team.
Zidane, 53, made the declaration on Sunday at the Festival dello Sport in Trento. His comments bring to a close a long period of rest following his second departure from Real Madrid in 2021. When discussing his plans, the World Cup winner spoke passionately about his connection to the sport. “Without a doubt, I’ll coach again. It’s something that’s part of me,” he stated, explaining that his journey into coaching began after retirement when he “didn’t know what to do” until he signed up for a coaching course.
However, the major revelation was his specific target. While acknowledging his deep affection for his former club Juventus, Zidane made it clear that his focus is on the international arena. “One of my goals is to coach the French national team. We’ll see when the time comes,” he confirmed. This statement has intensified speculation that he is patiently waiting for the post to become available after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, when current Les Bleus coach Didier Deschamps’ contract is scheduled to end.
Zidane’s return is highly anticipated, given his phenomenal success at Real Madrid where he secured three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles. Despite receiving numerous offers from top European clubs—including links to Juventus, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich—the Frenchman appears committed to waiting for what he calls the “blue dream” of managing his home nation.
