LEGENDARY French footballer Zinedine Zidane has reportedly declined the chance to coach Algeria’s national team.
The former Real Madrid gaffer is believed to be waiting for his dream job of managing the team of his country of birth, France.
The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) is seeking a new manager after Djamel Belmadi stepped down following the Desert Warriors’ disappointing exit from the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Zidane, who was born in Marseille to Algerian parents and led France to World Cup glory in 1998, was reportedly flattered by the offer but has opted against a return to coaching for now.
The 50-year-old has been a free agent since leaving Real Madrid in 2021 and has made no secret of his desire to one day manage France.
However, Didier Deschamps recently signed a contract extension that will keep him in charge of Les Bleus until 2026, while Thierry Henry is now being groomed as a future successor after taking the reins of the France U21 team.
The former Juventus and Real Madrid midfield machine has also turned down offers to coach the national teams of the United States and Brazil in recent months.
However, the FAF is now considering several other options, including current France Women’s manager Hervé Renard, veteran coach Vahid Halilhodzic, former Switzerland boss Vladimir Petkovic, and ex-Argentina and Chile manager Jorge Sampaoli.
Eighteen-Eleven Media