Real Madrid legend and Champions League-winning boss Zinedine Zidane has revealed his ambitions to take charge of France in the future, amid speculation linking him with a switch to Manchester United. The Frenchman had been touted as a potential replacement for Ruben Amorim after the Portuguese manager struggled during the first part of the season.
However, the heat has cooled on the former Sporting CP chief following a crucial victory over Sunderland before the international interval. United currently sit 10th in the Premier League standings and face a daunting return to domestic action against title holders Liverpool, who have suffered three consecutive defeats.
Questions continue to swirl around Amorim’s long-term prospects, with Zidane being backed to replace the strategist despite remaining absent from management since 2021. Nevertheless, his latest comments will concern United fans hoping to see the legendary playmaker take the reins, as he expressed his enduring affection for the Italian powerhouse whilst confirming his desire to lead France.
“I will return, definitely,” he said. “I don’t know.
“It hasn’t happened before, I’ve made other choices. Juve will always remain in my heart, it gave me a lot from the beginning when I went there.
“As for the future, I don’t know. My feeling is that I would like to coach the national team in the future – not necessarily now, but one day, yes.”
Didier Deschamps’ deal with the French national squad is set to conclude following the 2026 World Cup, with the accomplished boss already indicating his intention to step down from the role, creating yet another obstacle for Zidane’s prospects of taking the reins at United.
“In 2026 it will be over,” Deschamps revealed to French broadcaster TF1. “In my head it’s very clear. I’ve done my time, with the same desire and passion to maintain France at the highest level but 2026 is [a] very good [time to stop].
“One has to be able to say stop, there’s a life after this. The most important [thing] is for France to stay at the top as they have been for many years.”