To date, the Frenchman is the only manager to have won three UEFA Champions League om consecutive seasons, achieved in his first spell as head coach at Real Madrid. They practically owned the competition during his tenure from January 2016, which made his resignation in May 2018 all the more surprising.

Zidane and the Champions League = an iconic duo.

⚪️2⃣0⃣0⃣2⃣?
⚪️2⃣0⃣1⃣6⃣?
⚪️2⃣0⃣1⃣7⃣?
⚪️2⃣0⃣1⃣8⃣?#UCL pic.twitter.com/XrbYMIXezZ

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 23, 2021

Nevertheless, the lure of returning to the Santiago Bernabeu was too powerful to resist, ultimately taking Zidane back to Real Madrid for a second managerial spell in March 2019. While matching his first stint was always going to be a huge challenge, the club still enjoyed positive domestic success, winning two LaLiga titles and the Supercopa de España twice.

Zidane then stunned everyone and walked away again in May 2019. In an open letter to Real Madrid fans published exclusively in AS, the legendary football icon poured his heart out. “I’m leaving because I feel the club no longer has the faith in me I need, nor the support to build something in the medium or long term,” he explained as his reasons for leaving Real Madrid.

No Shortage of Exciting Offers

Perhaps the most important thing to note about Zidane departing Real Madrid for a second time, there was the undeniable sense he didn’t feel his work had been valued by the club. He also alluded to the importance of building strong relationships, which he insisted as being worth far more than riches or financial gains.

As was always going to be inevitable, once Zidane became available to the managerial market once more, some of the biggest clubs elsewhere around Europe have coveted his coaching talents. When they fired Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November 2021, Zidane favourite to replace at Old Trafford.

Zinedine Zidane is reportedly considering raiding his former side Real Madrid and Manchester United as speculation linking him with the PSG job continues. https://t.co/zdrgT0NgmY

— Sportskeeda Football (@skworldfootball) February 21, 2022

But no amount of coaxing from the Red Devils could lure Zidane to the club, still in the midst of a year away from the game to rest and recuperate, whilst also collecting his thoughts about future challenges. Two key reasons for rejecting the job were also cited, with one being his lack of preparedness to coach in English, along with his wife not being keen on the idea of living in Manchester.

Amidst the uncertainty surrounding Mauricio Pochettino at Paris Saint-Germain, there is widespread speculation he could leave and take the Manchester United post, which subsequently places Zidane as a top candidate to join the French capital club. But if that doesn’t happen, what next? Well, if club jobs continue to be rejected, it could be that Zidane is ultimately waiting to manage the French national team.

Faithful to His Origins

Amidst all the success that Zidane has enjoyed, both as a player and a coach, his North African roots have never been forgotten. Following his final season at Real Madrid as a player, Zidane was given an official reception by Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, when he visited the birthplace of his parents.

Given that Zidane has remained a huge figure in popular football culture, his teams have often attracted plenty of wagering attention from the wider public, especially those who share his origins. Gambling is forbidden in most of the MENA countries, yet many people do still wish to participate, which is why Arabian Betting has produced a comprehensive guide to the best Arabic betting sites.

15 years ago today, Zidane was sent off in the World Cup final for THAT headbutt ?

It was later immortalised as a 5m high statue in Paris ? pic.twitter.com/dEqaFVj8wF

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 9, 2021

This in-depth guide covers how to wager safely and securely, while protecting online identity and maintaining privacy, along with plenty of useful tips and advice surrounding the most competitive sportsbooks. Interestingly, many are offering markets that speculate which team Zidane could be managing next.

For the moment, only the great man himself will have any clear ideas, which makes following his trajectory and potential destinations all the more interesting. Zidane undoubtedly remains one of the most appealing figures in football, therefore his value as a club or national team boss remains highly prized, whichever job he eventually chooses to accept.

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