French coach Zinedine Zidane may make a shocking return to Real Madrid for his third term as head coach of the royal team.
Zidane has been without a club since leaving Real Madrid at the end of the 2020-2021 season. Despite receiving numerous offers over the years, the French legend has yet to return to coaching.
Zidane had hoped to take over the French national team after the 2022 World Cup, but Didier Deschamps, coach of “Les Bleus,” renewed his contract until 2026.
Zidane coached Real Madrid in two stints: the first between 2016 and 2018, and the second between 2019 and 2021. During these periods, he led the team to numerous titles, most notably winning the Spanish League twice and the Champions League three times. He may now be on the brink of a third term with the team.
In a major surprise, the “Football. France” network revealed that Zidane may replace Italian Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid’s coach starting next season. According to the report, club president Florentino Perez is working hard to bring Zidane back to the coaching bench, while thanking Ancelotti for his service. The network’s sources confirmed that Real Madrid has already initiated contact with Zidane, and the French coach is expected to return for a third spell in charge.
For his part, Zidane has expressed enthusiasm about the idea of returning to coach the team, but on his own terms. He insisted on having a key role in determining player transfers during the summer window.
According to sources, Zidane has set his sights on several deals to strengthen the squad, with a particular focus on signing the duo Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alphonso Davies, whose contracts expire next June. Both players are seen as priorities for Zidane in order to boost the team.
Zidane is also looking to strengthen the midfield, targeting the duo Florian Wirtz and Joshua Kimmich. As for players who may depart, Zidane intends to part ways with Aurelien Tchouameni, Lucas Vazquez, and Ferland Mendy, as he does not plan to rely on them in his future squad.