Zidane 'can't wait' to take 'dream' France job
PARIS: Zinedine Zidane, widely tipped in France to take over as national coach after the 2026 World Cup, said the job would be "a dream" and that he was "looking forward" to taking it.
Zidane, who is 52, was speaking at an event on Monday organised by his long-time sponsors Adidas, French media reported.
"I feel qualified for the French team, where I played and spent practically 12, 13, 14 years as a player. Of course it's a dream. I can't wait," said Zidane, a former captain of Les Bleus and the scorer of two goals as they won the 1998 World Cup final.
His midfield partner in that match and in France's Euro 200 triumph, was Didier Deschamps who has been in charge of the French side since 2012.
Deschamps led Les Bleus to the World Cup in 2018 but has announced that he will end his reign after the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Kluivert confident Indonesia will edge China in World Cup qualifier
Coach Patrick Kluivert says he is 'very confident' Indonesia will get a positive result against China on Thursday (June 5, 2025) to move closer to a historic World Cup spot. - Photo: AFP JAKARTA: Patrick Kluivert said he is "very confident" Indonesia will get a positive result against China in front of a sell-out crowd in Jakarta on Thursday (June 5) to move closer to a historic World Cup spot. Barcelona and Dutch great Kluivert saw his team thrashed 5-1 by Australia in his first game in March but they recovered to beat Bahrain 1-0 on home soil days later to leave their World Cup hopes in their own hands. "I'm very confident, and counting on my players that they will execute the things that we trained," the coach told reporters Wednesday (June 4) ahead of the clash in Jakarta. Kluivert took his squad to a training camp on the resort island of Bali to prepare for the crucial match. "The things we want to see tomorrow, I saw very clearly. We know the importance of the game," he said. Japan top Asian qualifying Group C and have already punched their ticket to North America in 2026, with Australia in a distant second in the other automatic qualifying place on 13 points. With two rounds of matches to go, Saudi Arabia are third on 10 points, one point ahead of Indonesia in fourth who have won two games and drawn three. Bahrain and China are both on six points. Teams finishing third and fourth will go into another round of qualifying -- Indonesia's most likely route to their first World Cup since gaining independence as a country in 1945. Indonesia has embarked on a recruitment drive of Dutch-born players overseen by coaches from the country's former colonial ruler to bring better results. Around 76,000 are expected to attend Thursday's match at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, with Kluivert hoping the raucous crowd can push his team to victory. "I hope that we can show them a good result," he said. FIFA ranks Indonesia 123rd in the world. - AFP
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Soccer-Hard to celebrate PSG's Champions League win over Italian colleagues, says Donnarumma
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Champions League - Final - Paris St Germain v Inter Milan - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - May 31, 2025 Paris St Germain's Gianluigi Donnarumma celebrates with the trophy after winning the Champions League REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth/File Photo (Reuters) - Gianluigi Donnarumma found it difficult to celebrate Paris St Germain's Champions League win over Inter Milan with so many Italian teammates on the other side, the Italy keeper and captain said on Wednesday. Donnarumma was a spectator for much of Saturday's final in Munich, with PSG strolling to a 5-0 win, and after the final whistle was seen consoling Inter's shell-shocked players. The former AC Milan keeper has now joined up with Inter's Alessandro Bastoni, Federico Dimarco, Nicolo Barella and Davide Frattesi at Italy's training camp ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualifiers and was asked what he said to them. "Nothing. There was a real heartfelt hug with those teammates after the game and I'm happy about that," Donnarumma told reporters. "I also struggled to enjoy the Champions League victory to the fullest because on the other side there were my brothers with whom I share a lot. "Here, we haven't spoken about that match, not even a few jokes. We only spoke about the next two games and giving everything together." Donnarumma, who has one year left on his PSG contract, has been linked with a move to Inter and was again asked about those media reports after his agent was seen at Inter's headquarters on Wednesday morning. "I didn't know he was at Inter, I'm fine in Paris and the club will decide on the renewal or not," Donnarumma said. "I'm ready for anything, but now my first option is Paris because I'm fine, the fans love me and the team loves me. I hope to stay there for many years." Donnarumma has not always convinced Italian fans and media, despite his penalty shootout saves leading to Italy's Euro 2020 triumph, with the keeper often criticised for errors. Now, however, he feels he is in the best form of his career, and a lot of that is down to PSG manager Luis Enrique. "When you return to your own country and you're not welcomed as you deserve, it's not easy," Donnarumma said. "Now I'm happy to have found confidence, balance and mentality. I am happy to have convinced all Italians. "With Luis Enrique I found balance on everything. He gave me a lot especially on a mental level." Italy begin their qualifying campaign in Norway on Friday, before hosting Moldova on Monday, having failed to reach the last two World Cups. (Reporting by Trevor Stynes; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Kluivert confident Indonesia will edge China in World Cup qualifier
JAKARTA: Patrick Kluivert said he is "very confident" Indonesia will get a positive result against China in front of a sell-out crowd in Jakarta tomorrow to move closer to a historic World Cup spot. Barcelona and Dutch great Kluivert saw his team thrashed 5-1 by Australia in his first game in March but they recovered to beat Bahrain 1-0 on home soil days later to leave their World Cup hopes in their own hands. "I'm very confident, and counting on my players that they will execute the things that we trained," the coach told reporters today ahead of the clash in Jakarta. Kluivert took his squad to a training camp on the resort island of Bali to prepare for the crucial match. "The things we want to see tomorrow, I saw very clearly. We know the importance of the game," he said. Japan top Asian qualifying Group C and have already punched their ticket to North America in 2026, with Australia in a distant second in the other automatic qualifying place on 13 points. With two rounds of matches to go, Saudi Arabia are third on 10 points, one point ahead of Indonesia in fourth who have won two games and drawn three. Bahrain and China are both on six points. Teams finishing third and fourth will go into another round of qualifying – Indonesia's most likely route to their first World Cup since gaining independence as a country in 1945. Indonesia has embarked on a recruitment drive of Dutch-born players overseen by coaches from the country's former colonial ruler to bring better results. Around 76,000 are expected to attend tomorrow's match at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, with Kluivert hoping the raucous crowd can push his team to victory. "I hope that we can show them a good result," he said.
