French football icon Zinedine Zidane is on the brink of a surprising return to the managerial scene, with reports suggesting that he is set to take over the reins at Ligue 1 powerhouse Marseille, according to France Bleu Provence.
Zidane, the former Real Madrid boss and three-time UEFA Champions League-winning manager, has been out of management since 2021. His future has been a topic of speculation and anticipation among football fans worldwide. While Zidane had expressed a desire to take charge of the French national team, that opportunity never materialized.
Now, it seems the legendary Frenchman is ready to make a stunning move to lead Les Phoceens. However, this agreement comes with a significant caveat: it is contingent on a Saudi Arabian consortium completing their takeover of the French club.
According to the report, Zidane would have the authority to oversee player recruitment and manage a transfer budget estimated at around €300 million if he assumes the role at the Velodrome.
The main obstacle in this potential managerial appointment is the current owner of Marseille, Frank McCourt, who has been resistant to the idea of selling the club for an extended period.
Marseille fans will undoubtedly be thrilled at the prospect of Zidane taking charge, as the club has lacked a manager of his caliber in recent years. With Paris Saint-Germain’s decade-long dominance in Ligue 1, Marseille sees the addition of a Saudi-backed ownership group and a high-profile manager like Zidane as crucial steps toward revitalizing the club and competing for more titles.
Marseille has experienced a tumultuous start to the current season, with Marcelino resigning from the head coach position after just seven games due to a loss of trust among the fans. The club recently appointed former Valencia coach Gennaro Gattuso as its new manager in an attempt to stabilize its performance.
