Zinedine Zidane 'rejects' huge return to management after four years out of the game as dream job revealed
Published 20:56 31 May 2025 GMT+1
Zidane's four-year stint out of football management is set to continue.
Zinedine Zidane has turned down the chance to return to management after four years out of football, it has been reported.
The Frenchman has not held a managerial role since he ended his second spell at Real Madrid in the summer of 2021.
He has been linked with a host of different roles, including at Manchester United, Chelsea and the France national team, but has so far decided to stay out of football.
Marca reported earlier this year that Zidane would only return to management if he was offered roles at Real Madrid or France.
The Real job has been taken by former Los Blancos midfielder Xabi Alonso, with the France role not vacant until next summer when Didier Deschamps steps down following the 2026 World Cup.
As a result, according to L'Equipe, Zidane has turned down a stunning one-year contract worth €100 million to move to the Saudi Pro League.
The club who have made the offer to Zidane is unnamed, with several sides - including Club World Cup competitors Al Hilal - currently searching for a manager.
L'Equipe add that the former midfielder remains focused on replacing Deschamps in charge of France, where he would be trying to emulate him in winning the World Cup as a player and manager.
Only three people - Deschamps, Mario Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer - have previously achieved the feat.
Previously, Zidane said he does not currently have plans to ever work at a predominantly English-speaking club as he is not fluent in the language.
"Would I want to go to Manchester?" he told L'Equipe. "I understand English, but I'm not completely fluent in it.
"I know that there are coaches who go to clubs without speaking the language. But I work in a different way.
"Many elements come into play in order to win, it is a global context. I know what I need to win."
Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Zinedine Zidane, Manchester United, Real Madrid, France