Zinedine Zidane has been out of work since bringing his second spell in charge of Real Madrid to an end last summer. However, according to recent reports, the Frenchman will be returning to the dugout this summer.
The likes of Europe 1, RMC, and Goal all report that the 1998 FIFA World Cup winner turned manager is on the brink of joining Ligue 1 giants PSG.
Initially, a move to the Parc des Princes appeared unlikely for Zizou for two major reasons. First of all, there is his ties to Marseille, his city of birth, with the French icon being a huge fan of Les Phocéens, who are the Paris giants' bitter rivals.
RMC confirm a final agreement between PSG & Zinedine Zidane is close.
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) June 10, 2022
Then there is the France national team job. While Didier Deschamps remains in charge of Les Bleus, many see that role as Zidane's rightful next career move due his legendary status back home.
However, after PSG's disappointing 2021/22 campaign in which they wrestled back the Ligue 1 title from Lille but came up short in the domestic cups and—more importantly—the UEFA Champions League, the Qatari-owned side are said to be keen on replacing current head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
But is there any truth to these claims? Zidane's advisor Migliaccio has issued a statement regarding these rumors, telling L'Equipe that reports of a PSG deal are completely fabricated.
"All these rumors about an agreement with PSG are unfounded. Neither Zinedine nor I have been contacted directly by the PSG owner," Migliaccio said, as per Fabrizio Romano.
Zinedine Zidane's advisor Migliaccio tells L'Équipe: "All these rumors about an agreement with PSG are unfounded. Neither Zinedine nor I have been contacted directly by the PSG owner". #PSG
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 10, 2022
"I'm the only one allowed to speak for Zidane and represent him, as of today".
"I'm the only one allowed to speak for Zidane and represent him, as of today."
Nonetheless, do not expect these rumors to die down. Leonardo has been sacked, with Luis Campos being named as the new football advisor, and the consensus is that Pochettino will be relieved of his duties as well.
There were links with Roma boss Jose Mourinho, with the Portuguese manager's unbeaten record in European finals being a tempting prospect, but the Special One has no intentions of leaving the Italian capital this summer. Nice boss Christophe Galtier, the man who led Lille to the French top-flight title in 2020/21, is also being eyed.