World Cup hero Zidane dreams of France national team job
Zidane, who is 52, speaking at an event organised by his long-time sponsors Adidas, said the job would be "a dream"
It's not often that football royalty makes absolute top-tier coaching expertise. Not if you are speaking about Zinedine Zidane.
Widely tipped as one of the best ever to don the Les Bleus jersey, he has never shied away from declaring his dream of coaching France and to take over as national coach after the 2026 World Cup.
Zidane, who is 52, speaking at an event organised by his long-time sponsors Adidas, said the job would be "a dream" and that he was "looking forward" to taking it, French media reported.
"I feel qualified for the French team, where I played and spent practically 12, 13, 14 years as a player. Of course, it's a dream. I can't wait," said Zidane, a former captain of Les Bleus and the scorer of two goals as they won the 1998 World Cup final.
His midfield partner in that match and in France's Euro 2000 triumph,h Didier Deschamps, has been in charge of the French side since 2012.
Deschamps led Les Bleus to the World Cup in 2018 but has announced that he will end his reign after the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
As a coach, Zidane took Real to three Champions League triumphs and two Liga titles but has not taken a coaching job since ending his second spell at Real in 2021.
He has previously been linked with some of Europe's top club sides such as Manchester United, but he has never committed.
Zidane scored 156 goals and assisted 171 times in an illustrious career that saw him play for AS Cannes, Bordeaux in France, Juventus, and Real.
