Zidane promises coaching return: Where will he go?

Karan Tejwani

• 26 Oct 2022 14:25 BST
• 3 min read

Zinedine Zidane has been out of management since the end of the 2020-21 season, when he left Real Madrid that season for the second time.

The French legend has been linked to various jobs since that time, but has remained out of management and is waiting for the right role to arrive.

Recently, he spoke about a return, suggesting he would be back in work soon, but it’s still not clear where exactly he will be going in the coming months.

So, which teams could be a realistic consideration for Zidane in the near future?

France

There have always been suggestions that Zidane would be Didier Deschamps’ successor at the helm of the France national team and that chance could arise as early as this year if Deschamps leaves his role after the World Cup in Qatar.

Zidane would be the ideal man to lead the team, having proven he can work with star names and been successful with them in the past, and he’d fit the role perfectly. He also has a great pedigree in high-profile knockout cup competitions, something France would appreciate.

Juventus

Zidane has gone back to one of his former clubs in the past and done well, and who’s to say he can’t do the same if he returns to Juventus one day? While he won’t be able to replicate Champions League successes like he did at Real Madrid, he could help improve the Bianconeri.

Massimiliano Allegri is under pressure after a disappointing season and could be on his way out soon if things don’t improve, opening the door for Zidane to come in and take over, and possibly starting off a new era of success for the Old Lady.

Real Madrid

This is a long shot given Carlo Ancelotti is comfortable in the job and has no intention of leaving anytime soon, as well as the fact that Zidane has already been at Real Madrid twice before as a manager, but it’s still a possibility for some point in the future.

Zidane still has great relations with the Spanish and European champions and if Ancelotti decides to leave come the end of the season, it wouldn’t be the worst idea to see him going back to the Santiago Bernabeu at some point to help the club.