'I will definitely return!' - Zinedine Zidane outlines plan to become France manager as ex-Real Madrid boss reveals how 'life changed' after retiring

France's 1998 World Cup-winning captain, Didier Deschamps took charge of the national team in 2012, at a time when Les Bleus were struggling in international football. They had failed to go past the World Cup group stages in 2002 and 2010 and their European Championship performances were below par. Deschamps built a strong squad block by block, which went on to dominate world football for more than a decade under his tutelage. They reached the final of Euro 2016, where they were stunned by Portugal as Cristiano Ronaldo won his first international title. 

France then went on to win the 2018 World Cup as they showed their dominance, while Kylian Mbappe announced his arrival at international level. France then came very close to winning back-to-back trophies as they once again reached the final in Qatar, but suffered heartbreak on penalties after a nail-biting clash, as Lionel Messi lifted the world title.  After spending more than a decade as France's head coach, Deschamps has announced that he will leave his role at the end of the 2026 World Cup in North America.

The circumstances are lining up perfectly for Zidane, who has not been in management since calling time on his second stint at Real Madrid at the end of the 2020-21 season. He was reportedly offered "blank cheques" by Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester United, while also garnering significant interest from the Saudi Pro League. The 1998 Ballon d'Or winner remains the overwhelming favourite to succeed Deschamps at the helm. 

Speaking at the Trento Sports Festival, Zidane opened up on his life after retirement and how he decided to enter football management, while claiming his ultimate dream is to manage the French national team.

The Les Bleus icon said: "When I stopped, my life changed. After three years, I didn't know what to do; I tried so many things until I signed up for the coaching course. Of all the coaches I've had, the one I learned the most from was Lippi: he was very important, because when I arrived in Italy, it was difficult for me at first, but he always believed in me. I first had Ancelotti as my manager, then I became his assistant: he's a friend, he was important to my career. He was a good coach because he listened to us players." 

When asked about the qualities a good manager must possess, Zidane replied, "He must be passionate about football, deeply passionate. It's not just those who win who are good; there are good coaches who can't win. The most important thing for me is to convey something to the players. When you're passionate, then you convey something to the players.

"I will definitely return to coaching. Me at Juventus? I don't know why it didn't happen. I always have him in my heart because he gave me so much. In the future, I don't know, one of my goals is to coach the French national team. We'll see."

In September, France star and current captain Mbappe gave his nod of approval to Zidane as he claimed that nobody will have any problem seeing the legendary former footballer taking charge of the national team. The Madrid star told L'Equipe: "With him, there's no need to make things complicated. He's Zidane. No one is going to say no. Only he can do it. If it's him, OK! And if it's someone else, OK too. But he's the only one in the history of French football who has almost all the rights."

France have maintained a 100 per cent win record in the World Cup qualifiers with their latest 3-0 thumping of Azerbaijan. They can now secure a spot at the tournament next summer, if they beat Iceland on Monday, while Ukraine drop points in their upcoming fixture.