Zinedine Zidane ‘will NOT attend France’s World Cup final against Argentina’ because he ‘doesn’t want to steal the limelight’ amid speculation he is set to replace Didier Deschamps in 2023
Zinedine Zidane has reportedly declined an offer from the French Federation to watch the World Cup final in Qatar because he does not want to steal the limelight amid speculation he will replace Didier Deschamps in 2023.
The French legend, who won the tournament with Deschamps in 1998, will not be at the Lusail Stadium to see if France can claim their third World Cup.
It’s believed Zidane does not want any of the focus to be on him at what is a hugely historic event where France could become only the third team ever to record successive World Cup wins, Mundo Deportivo reports.
Zinedine Zidane will reportedly not attend France’s World Cup final against Argentina on Sunday
Zidane does not want his presence to be a distraction during a historic event for the country
It comes as speculation mounts over Zidane taking the France managerial role – with the former Real Madrid boss reportedly turning down the PSG job in the summer in hope of securing the top spot at Les Bleus.
Mundo Deportivo reports that Zidane has in fact verbally reached an agreement to become France boss from January 1, 2023.
But it depends on what Deschamps – who has been in charge of Les Bleus since 2012 – decides to do.
Ahead of France’s World Cup final tomorrow, Deschamps said the result will have no impact on his decision.
Speaking at a press conference in Doha, he said: ‘To be the France manager has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. I am still as passionate about the role as I ever have been,’ he said.
Zidane reportedly turned down the manager job at PSG because he wanted to wait for the France job to become vacant
Zidane and Deschamps (pictured left and middle) won the World Cup together for France in ’98
The two French legends also played together in Serie A for Juventus in the late 1990s
‘The most important thing is the team. I am not the most important person here, it is all about the team.
‘My future won’t depend on tomorrow’s result.’
Zidane left his position as Real Madrid head coach for the second time in May 2021 after admitting that he felt there was a disconnection between the club’s board and himself.
He guided Madrid to three consecutive Champions League trophies from 2015 to 2018 Spanish side became the first club to ever win the famous competition three times in a row.
He also won two La Liga titles during his time in the Spanish capital, along with being awarded two world’s best coaching awards for his achievements before leaving the club after losing the league crown to cross-city rivals Atletico.
The French icon was tipped to take over at Paris Saint-Germain following Mauricio Pochettino’s summer sacking but instead opted to remain a free agent as Christophe Galtier assumed the role.
If Zidane does land the French job, he would become the first player and manager to ever win the World Cup with his country.
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