Zidane says he still has the 'passion' for coaching amid PSG links

‘I’m 50 years old, fulfilled, I’m happy’: Zinedine Zidane insists he still has the ‘flame’ and ‘passion’ for football and is keen to continue coaching, with the former Real Madrid boss in the running to take over at PSG

  • PSG are set to sack Mauricio Pochettino, and Zinedine Zidane is in the running 
  • Zidane, who left Real Madrid last year, says he still has passion for management 
  • Speaking to Telefoot, he also revealed he feels ‘fulfilled’ with his career to date 
  • Christophe Galtier is the favourite to take over the Parc des Princes, however 

Zinedine Zidane insists he still has the ‘flame’ and ‘passion’ for football and is keen to continue his management career, with links to Paris Saint-Germain continuing.

In an interview with Telefoot, the former Real Madrid boss opened up on his desire to keep coaching, but did not comment on where his next destination might be. 

Sportsmail has previously reported that Zidane is PSG’s first-choice name to replace Mauricio Pochettino, who is expected to be officially sacked in the coming days.

Zinedine Zidane insists he still has ‘passion’ for coaching, with links to the PSG job continuing

Club chiefs are believed to be keen to appoint a new manager with a proven track record of success in the Champions League, the trophy which has alluded them.

But regardless of whether talks have been held between Zidane’s camp and the Ligue 1 giants, the tactician gave nothing away when casting his mind forward.

‘I want to continue, I still have this flame, football is my passion,’ he told the publication. ‘I’m 50 years old, fulfilled, I’m happy, that’s the most important thing.

Zidane has been out of management for a year, but may make his return at the Parc des Princes

Zidane has spent a year out of the game after his departure from Madrid last May.

In doing so, he left for the second time, but guided them to a hat-trick of Champions League victories during his first spell in charge and won 11 trophies in total.

Since his step into unemployment, the World Cup winner has been linked with a number of high-profile jobs, including at the helm of the France national team. 

He is set to miss out on the looming PSG vacancy, however. Nice boss Christophe Galtier is in the driving seat, it is believed, and he is expected to take charge.

Mauricio Pochettino (left) will be sacked imminently and PSG are looking for his successor

That comes despite reports indicating a deal with Zidane had already been finalised.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Zidane was quickly earmarked as Pochettino’s successor, with the switch ‘closed’ ahead of him flying out to the Far East.

There, he was said to have met with club directors to tie up the finer details of his contract and discuss plans for next season – although negotiations later collapsed.

Christophe Galtier is believed to be in pole position, however, despite Zidane being available

PSG are in the process of making major changes across the club after tying down superstar Kylian Mbappe to a new deal and deciding to sack Pochettino.

The former Tottenham boss won the Ligue 1 title but failed to deliver the Champions League, despite his all-star line-up also featuring Lionel Messi and Neymar.

Off the field, Luis Campos was unveiled as PSG’s new football advisor.




Share this article


Source: Read Full Article