Soccer fans might soon get to see Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane back as a manager. Zidane, whose first and only coaching stint has been at Real Madrid, has etched his status as a coach in a very short period of time. While there has been talk of Zidane assuming the position of Marseille’s head coach, there’s a certain catch to it.
According to reports from a French news outlet, Zinedine Zidane has only one condition to become Marseille’s coach. The former Real Madrid coach wants the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) to take over the Ligue 1 side. If the said takeover happens, then Zidane would get a $317 million budget. However, it appears as if Zidane’s condition won’t be fulfilled.
❗️Zinedine Zidane has given his agreement to Saudi Arabia to become the General Manager of Marseille if they buy the club.
Zidane will be in-charge of recruitment, he would be given a budget of €300M. @bleuprovence 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/YGsWGSrmEw
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) September 28, 2023
PIF, which is the owner of soccer clubs like Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, and Newcastle United, has been facing staunch resistance from Marseille’s current owner, Frank McCourt. McCourt, who owns a majority stake of 95% in the club, has refused to sell the club to PIF. Moreover, Marseille also recently appointed Italian legend Gennaro Gattuso as head coach after former manager Marcelinho resigned.
Zinedine Zidane, who left his role as Real Madrid’s coach in 2021, has remained without a job since then. Despite his very brief tenure as a coach, the French legend maintains an enviable trophy cabinet. In his short stint as Real Madrid’s coach, Zidane won three Champions League titles, two La Liga titles, two FIFA Club World Cup titles, as well as the UEFA Super Cup and the Supercopa de Espana twice.
Zinedine Zidane was mocked by France FA’s president after being linked with the national team’s job
Meanwhile, there were also rumors of Zinedine Zidane becoming the French national team’s head coach. However, after current head coach Didier Deschamps extended his contract until 2026, Zizou was linked with the Brazil national team. After Brazil’s long-time head coach, Tite, announced his exit after the World Cup, Zidane was rumored to become the South American giant’s next manager.
🚨 The National Ethics Council of the FFF has officially called for the resignation of Noël Le Graët after his comments about Zinedine Zidane! ❌🇫🇷
(Source: @Lequipe) pic.twitter.com/rhus4W0RPV
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) January 10, 2023
During an interview, France FA head Noel Le Graet was asked to comment on the rumors of Zidane becoming Brazil‘s coach. However, Le Graet rather brutally mocked Zidane and said, “Would it upset me that (Zidane) went there[Brazil]? I couldn’t care less. Did Zidane try to contact me? Certainly not, I wouldn’t even have picked up the phone”.
Mbappe wasn’t impressed with French Football Federation President Noel Le Graet’s comments about Zinedine Zidane 😮
Respect 🤝 pic.twitter.com/TYOlhvM2du
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 8, 2023
Le Graet, however, was caught in hot water immediately for his distasteful comments. Zidane’s former club, Real Madrid, issued a statement condemning Le Graet’s comments and demanding respect for their club’s legend. French star Kylian Mbappe also hit out at Le Graet, saying that Zidane is France and that they should never disrespect their legend.