logo
Zinedine Zidane 'turns down £84MILLION offer to return to management' - after the former Real Madrid boss revealed he's holding out for his 'dream' role

Zinedine Zidane 'turns down £84MILLION offer to return to management' - after the former Real Madrid boss revealed he's holding out for his 'dream' role

Daily Mail​2 days ago

Zinedine Zidane has reportedly turned down a one-year contract worth £84million to manage in Saudi Arabia.
After calling time on his legendary playing career following the World Cup final in 2006, Zidane spent some time away from the sport before returning to Real Madrid to embark on a career in coaching.
After cutting his teeth during an 18-month spell in charge of the club's reserve team Zidane would take the top job in January 2016 following the dismissal of Rafa Benítez.
The Frenchman proved to be an instant success in the dugout, winning three consecutive Champions League trophies, an unprecedented feat in the modern era.
However, after a second stint in charge of the club came to an end in 2021 Zidane has yet to take on another managerial position.
And according to a report from L'Equipe, it is not due to a lack of suitors.
A report from the French outlet claimed Zidane has been offered €100m (£84.3m) to take charge of Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
The club have been without a permanent manager since parting ways with Jorge Jesus in May, and are on the lookout for a new boss with the revamped Club World Cup on the horizon.
Following Zidane's refusal, the club are said to be nearing a deal to appoint Inter boss Simone Inzaghi following the Italian's defeat in the Champions League final on Saturday.
Zidane's decision not to take the Al-Hilal job is said to stem from his intention to succeed Didier Deschamps as the manager of the French national team.
Deschamps announced earlier this year that he would step down from the role after more than a decade in charge following the 2026 World Cup.
And speaking this week Zidane firmly put himself forward to be Deschamps' successor.
'I feel legitimate in the France team,' he said. '[It is] where I played and spent almost twelve, thirteen or fourteen years as a player. Of course, it's a dream, I can't wait.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Xu Qiliang, former top Chinese general close to Xi, dies in Beijing
Xu Qiliang, former top Chinese general close to Xi, dies in Beijing

The Independent

time31 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Xu Qiliang, former top Chinese general close to Xi, dies in Beijing

Xu Qiliang, a former air force general who was reportedly close to Chinese leader Xi Jinping, has died at age 75, according to the Defense MInistry. Xu had been a vice commissioner of the body that overseas the People's Liberation Army, the military branch of China's ruling Communist Party, during Xi's first few years in government. China's ultimate leader was at the time incorporating the army and navy into leadership bodies long dominated by the land forces. Xu was an 'excellent Communist Party of China member, a time-tested and loyal communist soldier, a proletarian military strategist, and an outstanding leader of the People's Liberation Army,' said a statement issued by the ministry. Xu joined the PLA in 1966 just as China was plunged into the violent decade-long Cultural Revolution under Communist China's founder Mao Zedong. After climbing the ranks, Xu wielded considerable influence as a vice chairman of the Central Military Commission without, it appears, falling afoul of China's party anti-corruption forces, who brought down several other high ranking retired and serving military leaders, including two former defense ministers. China has offered no information on the situation involving the pair, stirring rumors of a major shakeup in the ranks concerning corruption or spying for the U.S.. China has not fought a major campaign since the 1950-53 Korean War, so Xu built his career largely on his adherence to the party line and fealty to the leader of the time, who like Xi now, serves as chairman of the Central Military Commission. In a February 2018 report, the official Xinhua News Agency quoted Xu as calling on the Chinese army to 'thoroughly study and implement the spirit of the 19th party National Congress and President Xi Jinping's strategy for strengthening the military.' Xu also helped oversee the PLA's transformation into a modern fighting force, eliminating its Cold War-era jets for stealth fighters and nuclear bombers. Xu also met with foreign delegations, including then-U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis in 2018, with whom he discussed 'the importance of substantive military-to-military contacts to reduce risk and strategic uncertainty.' Relations between the militaries have since nose-dived, along with relations in general.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store