Zidane re-affirms plans to return football management

French president Emmanuel Macron has re-affirmed his intention to persuade  Zinedine Zidane to return to football in Ligue 1, amid links with the Paris Saint-Germain post.

Despite being from the city of Marseille – who are domestic rivals of the French capital club – Zidane had been strongly linked to replacing Mauricio Pochettino in the PSG hot seat earlier this year, but Christophe Galtier was appointed in the role.

Zidane had previously been linked with the United post after Solskjaer was dismissed from the position in November last season. The job was eventually handed to Ralf Rangnick on an interim basis until the end of the campaign before Erik ten Hag assumed the role on a permanent basis.

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He has been linked with a third spell in charge of Los Blancos in Spain amid uncertainty over the future of Carlo Ancelotti, who has been linked with the vacant Brazil managerial role. However, Ancelotti is unlikely to leave that role and it is not certain there is an appetite on both sides for Zidane to return once more should the opportunity present itself, say Marca.

Speaking earlier this year, Zidane explained in a typically coy interview about his future: “Am I still able to contribute things as a coach? Yes, many things, or I think at least some!”

Aside from a potential appointment at PSG, who look set to part ways with boss Galtier this summer after their underwhelming campaign and European failure, there are two roles which could become available for Zidane.

His former club Juventus may part ways with Max Allegri this summer and a move for the Frenchman could appeal, but they may also have another former Juve player on their radar – Igor Tudor. The Croat is currently instilled at Marseille, with whom Zidane has an affiliation. One thing is for sure: if Zidane does return to management, it will not be a Premier League role.