Zinedine Zidane may never coach again after France snub, says former teammate

With the French national team getting back to action after a disappointing Euro 2024, the subject of conversation has turned back to Zinedine Zidane.

The legendary midfielder was believed to be keen on coaching the national team, but by reaching the semi-finals in Germany, incumbent Didier Deschamps triggered a two-year contract extension despite a dire performance and widespread criticism.

That leaves Zidane, who has most recently been linked to Al Nassr, short on options, with a return to Real Madrid unlikely and the vacancy at former club Juventus filled by Thiago Motta. Zidane is also said to be against coaching in other leagues like the Premier League and Bundesliga.

Speaking specifically on the France job, former international turned respected pundit, Jean-Michel Larqué, said: “I don’t think he’s interested. He gave a polite answer to a question that was put to him but he doesn’t believe a single word of it.”

Commenting on that statement, Zidane’s former teammate, Christophe Dugarry, has now had his say.

“Everyone speaks for him. The few times he has spoken, he has said that he was interested in the French team,” Dugarry said. “He has at least the merit of being consistent.

“He has been told that he wants to go to Italy, England, Bayern Munich… each time he doesn’t even respond.

“Where I agree with Jean-Michel is that maybe we will never see Zizou as a coach again. Yes, it’s possible.”

Discussing the France job, he added: “How long is he willing to wait? I don’t know, but for me, it’s an incredible waste. All I want to do is say ‘Thank you Didier for everything you’ve done’ and I want to see how things will go with Zizou.

“Zizou will never break down doors, it’s not his style or his way of doing things.”