Plans for Zinedine Zidane’s next career move have come into clearer focus, according to RMC Sport. The former Real Madrid boss, now 51, is weighing a single, distinct path for his professional future and appears to be eyeing only one destination: the France national team. This means he is not pursuing another club job, even though talks with an alternative federation have been on the table. Zidane reportedly turned down an offer from the Algerian Football Federation, despite strong encouragement from his family members who hoped he would consider returning to his roots with the Algeria setup.
At the moment, Zidane is in no hurry to step back into the coaching arena. He is observed as waiting to see how long Didier Deschamps remains in charge of the France senior side, with Deschamps’ current contract running through 2026. The plan seems to be a measured one: be ready to step in at the right moment rather than rush into a fresh project. This mindset reflects Zidane’s belief in timing and his confidence in his own ability to contribute when the opportunity aligns with his long-term vision for French football.
Zidane’s coaching tenure at Real Madrid spanned two periods, from 2016 to 2018 and again from 2019 to 2021. In those years, he guided the club to domestic and continental glory. Madrid captured two La Liga titles under his watch and also claimed the Spanish Super Cup and the UEFA Super Cup on two occasions each. The club’s success was crowned by two FIFA Club World Cup titles and three UEFA Champions League triumphs, underscoring Zidane’s impact as a tactician who could galvanize a team to perform at the highest level in the most scrutinized competitions in club football.
As a player, Zidane had already etched his name into European football history by lifting Europe’s premier club competition in 2002 with Real Madrid, a landmark moment that remains a cornerstone of his enduring legacy as one of the sport’s greats. The combination of his leadership, technical finesse, and competitive drive helped shape an era for the club and left an imprint on the generation that followed.
In a separate note about coaching journeys, another prominent manager recently spoke about the emotional and mental toll of top-level football. Xavi, who has guided Barcelona, revealed that the demands of working in a club environment had an impact on his mental health. His candor adds to the broader conversation about the pressure coaches face and the importance of balancing ambition with well-being when navigating the highs and lows of elite football. It’s a reminder that decisions at the highest level are influenced by more than just results; they are shaped by personal resilience, long-term goals, and the capacity to sustain leadership over a demanding horizon.