Zidane Rejects Real Madrid Return Due to French National Team Agreement

Spanish press reports have revealed that Real Madrid's management contacted French coach Zinedine Zidane last December to gauge his interest in returning to lead the technical staff, following the dismissal of Xabi Alonso on January 12. Sources indicated that Zidane was unable to accept the offer from the Royal Club due to a prior agreement to take charge of the French national team after the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup.

This move comes as club president Florentino Pérez sought a suitable replacement to lead the team's technical bench after Alonso's departure. Ultimately, Álvaro Arbeloa was chosen for the position. Spanish newspaper "AS" noted that Zidane's commitment to the French national team is linked to Didier Deschamps' scheduled departure after the upcoming World Cup, which prevented him from undertaking a third spell with the club where he previously won three Champions League titles.

In a related context, Portuguese coach José Mourinho's name was circulated in sports circles as a preferred candidate for the role before Arbeloa's promotion in January. Despite the club's attempts to bring Zidane back, international agreements prevented the deal from being finalized, prompting the Madrid management to seek alternative technical options to navigate the current phase.