MX23RW : Friday, May 31 21:23:05| >> :120:43717:43717:

Zinedine Zidane 'turns down Paris Saint-Germain approach'

Zinedine Zidane 'turns down PSG approach'
© Reuters
Ex-Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane reportedly turns down the opportunity to replace Christophe Galtier as Paris Saint-Germain's new manager.

Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has apparently turned down an approach from Paris Saint-Germain to become their new head coach.

The 50-year-old has been away from the dugout for some time, having not taken on another job since leaving Real Madrid for a second time at the end of the 2020-21 season.

Given his spate of success at the Santiago Bernabeu, Zidane has not been short of offers over the past two years, but the Frenchman is yet to find the right project for his next career move.

The ex-France international was initially thought to be waiting for the Bleus job to become available, but current head coach Didier Deschamps is contracted to the national team until 2026, having penned a new deal following the Qatar World Cup.

With the France job off the cards for the time being, Zidane is now being tipped to return to management at club level, and the PSG hotseat is expected to become vacant again soon.

Zinedine Zidane in charge of Real Madrid in May 2021© Reuters

Christophe Galtier is set to be sacked after just one season in charge, and according to Le Parisien, PSG recently approached Zidane to discuss a potential partnership for the 2023-24 campaign.

However, the report states that the 50-year-old once again refused the opportunity, and while he is itching to get back on the touchline, he currently has no firm plans in place.

During his two separate spells at Real Madrid, Zidane won three consecutive Champions League crowns, as well as two La Liga titles, two Club World Cups, two UEFA Super Cups and two Spanish Super Cups.

The Frenchman was named the World's Best Club Coach in 2017 and 2018 for his European exploits, and last summer, his advisor denied reports claiming that he was poised to succeed Mauricio Pochettino at PSG.

Having been rebuffed by Zidane, PSG hired 2020-21 Ligue 1 title-winner Galtier on a two-year contract, and the 56-year-old ended his debut season with a top-flight crown and Trophee des Champions title to his name.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) coach Christophe Galtier looks dejected after the match on February 11, 2023© Reuters

However, PSG finished just one point better off than Lens at the top of the table and suffered another chastening last-16 Champions League exit, falling 3-0 to Bayern Munich on aggregate.

Galtier's position is believed to have been under scrutiny for a number of months now, and the PSG board have apparently decided to part ways with the Frenchman, who was also accused of making racist comments during his time at Nice - allegations he denies.

Luis Enrique and Jose Mourinho were considered two strong candidates for the job, but in recent days, it has been claimed that ex-Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann is now the favourite.

The 35-year-old - who dropped out of the race to become Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur's new boss - is understood to have held positive talks with PSG chiefs, but the French champions will need to pay Bayern significant compensation if they wish to hire him.

Thierry Henry was supposedly under consideration for the role of assistant head coach under Nagelsmann, but the ex-Arsenal and France striker is no longer thought to be in the running for the job.

ID:515865:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5657:

Zinedine Zidane future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Zinedine Zidane

Click here for more stories about Paris Saint-Germain

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann reacts on January 24, 2023
Read Next:
PSG 'in talks over Nagelsmann, Henry appointments'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CParis Saint-GermainPSG342210281334876
2MonacoMonaco34207768422667
3Brest341710753341961
4Lille341611752341859
5Nice341510940291155
6Lyon34165134955-653
7Lens34149114537851
8Marseille3413111052411150
9Reims34138134247-547
10Rennes341210125346746
11Toulouse341110134246-443
12Montpellier HSCMontpellier341012124348-541
13StrasbourgStrasbourg34109153850-1239
14NantesNantes3496193055-2533
15Le HavreLe Havre34711163445-1132
16Metz3485213558-2329
RLorient3478194366-2329
RClermont34510192660-3425


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!