The Frenchman, who managed Real Madrid for two spells most recently from 2019 to 2021 could be poised to return to coaching a European giant.
Zinedine Zidane appears close to making a comeback. The former player, who has been without a team since leaving Real Madrid in the summer of 2021, is interested in taking charge of the French national team, though that decision has not yet been finalized.
Moreover, all indications suggest that Real Madrid will not be making any changes to their coaching staff soon. In any case, Zidane’s return would be complicated, as Xabi Alonso is considered a leading candidate to succeed Carlo Ancelotti and is gaining valuable experience at Bayer Leverkusen.
However, none of these developments preclude Zidane from resuming coaching duties. According to information from *The Sun*, the former Real Madrid coach has been in constant contact with Manchester City management in recent weeks about the possibility of succeeding Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.
The newspaper reported that the club officials believe there is no better coach than Zidane to lead the Sky Blues after Guardiola’s successful tenure, during which he won every possible title.
Additionally, the new sports director at Manchester City inquired with Pep Guardiola about hiring Zidane as his successor. Guardiola’s response was surprising: “Zidane is the ideal replacement for me in the team.”
The article concluded by stating that Zidane informed Manchester City management that they should aim to sign Real Madrid star Rodrygo as his first acquisition if he agrees to join the English side.
However, one major hurdle Manchester City will need to overcome to secure Zidane’s signature is his aversion to the UK climate due to the cold, as well as the language barrier, which he finds uncomfortable, although he has started to consider the offer.