After an absence of nearly four years, French coach Zinedine Zidane is on the verge of making a return to the coaching world, a move that could signal significant changes both in his career and the league he decides to join. The spotlight has once again turned to Zidane, with reports of advanced negotiations for him to take charge of one of Turkey’s top clubs, marking the potential beginning of a new chapter in his coaching journey.
According to media reports, Turkish club Fenerbahçe is urgently searching for a new head coach to replace Portuguese manager José Mourinho, whose contract was terminated last month after the team failed to qualify for the group stage of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League. This setback has prompted the club’s management to act swiftly and appoint a high-profile coach capable of restoring the team to both domestic and international competitiveness.
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While several candidates have been mentioned, Zidane appears to be the leading choice among Fenerbahçe’s decision-makers. The Turkish newspaper Sabah has confirmed that talks between Zidane and the club have reached an advanced stage, with the French coach reportedly showing initial interest in the Turkish project. A crucial meeting is expected soon to finalize the details of the contract, including both technical and financial terms.
Zidane’s coaching career began in 2013 as an assistant at Real Madrid, before he took over the B-team, Castilla, from 2014 to 2016. He then ascended to the role of first-team coach, where he achieved historic success, most notably winning three consecutive Champions League titles. After leaving in 2018, he returned to the club in 2019 and remained until 2021, further adding to his trophy haul.
If the deal is finalized, Zidane will be returning to European competition with Fenerbahçe, a move that could have a transformative impact on the Turkish league.
