Real Madrid Tried to Bring Zidane Back

A phone call in December could have completely altered Real Madrid's recent and future trajectory, but Zinédine Zidane's prior commitment prevented it. According to As, club officials contacted the French coach about a potential return, but his prior agreement with the French national team proved unshakeable.

At the time, Xabi Alonso's departure was considered imminent. However, the lack of an ideal replacement led the club to extend his stay, allowing the former Bayer Leverkusen coach to lead the team in the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, albeit with little to no hope of turning the situation around. The final decision ultimately fell to Arbeloa, who is expected to leave at the end of the season, with Benfica's José Mourinho tipped as his successor.

Zidane thus had the opportunity to embark on a third spell at the helm of Real Madrid's senior team. Nevertheless, his already sealed commitment to the French national team made any move back to Valdebebas impossible.

Out of management since 2021, the year his second stint at Real Madrid ended, the relationship between the coach and the club eventually normalized over time. The Ballon d'Or ceremony for Benzema served as a reunion and helped mend the differences from his final season.

Since then, Zidane's presence at the Santiago Bernabéu for important matches has become customary, always in private boxes and accompanied by his family, supporting the team he considers his own. Keeping his word holds immense value for the former player and coach, a man trusted by Florentino Pérez.

Zidane's coaching career has, to date, been exclusively linked with Real Madrid, starting with Castilla, the reserve team, before taking charge of the senior squad. After his departure in 2021, offers multiplied, but the Frenchman consistently made it clear that he would only consider two destinations for his return: Real Madrid or the French national team.

His coaching record speaks for itself, boasting a total of 11 titles, including two league titles and three consecutive Champions League trophies. Now, Zidane faces the challenge of succeeding Didier Deschamps, a manager who led France to a World Cup title (2018) and a World Cup final (2022), and who is set to step down after the 2026 World Cup.