Paris Saint-Germain

Zinedine Zidane 'turns down Paris Saint-Germain approach'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 08 June 2023

Zinedine Zidane 'turns down PSG approach'

Ex-Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane reportedly turns down the opportunity to replace Christophe Galtier as Paris Saint-Germain's new manager.

Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has apparently turned down an approach from Paris Saint-Germain to become their new head coach.

The 50-year-old has been away from the dugout for some time, having not taken on another job since leaving Real Madrid for a second time at the end of the 2020-21 season.

Given his spate of success at the Santiago Bernabeu, Zidane has not been short of offers over the past two years, but the Frenchman is yet to find the right project for his next career move.

The ex-France international was initially thought to be waiting for the Bleus job to become available, but current head coach Didier Deschamps is contracted to the national team until 2026, having penned a new deal following the Qatar World Cup.

With the France job off the cards for the time being, Zidane is now being tipped to return to management at club level, and the PSG hotseat is expected to become vacant again soon.

Zinedine Zidane in charge of Real Madrid in May 2021 © Reuters

Christophe Galtier is set to be sacked after just one season in charge, and according to Le Parisien, PSG recently approached Zidane to discuss a potential partnership for the 2023-24 campaign.

However, the report states that the 50-year-old once again refused the opportunity, and while he is itching to get back on the touchline, he currently has no firm plans in place.

During his two separate spells at Real Madrid, Zidane won three consecutive Champions League crowns, as well as two La Liga titles, two Club World Cups, two UEFA Super Cups and two Spanish Super Cups.

The Frenchman was named the World's Best Club Coach in 2017 and 2018 for his European exploits, and last summer, his advisor denied reports claiming that he was poised to succeed Mauricio Pochettino at PSG.

Having been rebuffed by Zidane, PSG hired 2020-21 Ligue 1 title-winner Galtier on a two-year contract, and the 56-year-old ended his debut season with a top-flight crown and Trophee des Champions title to his name.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) coach Christophe Galtier looks dejected after the match on February 11, 2023 © Reuters

However, PSG finished just one point better off than Lens at the top of the table and suffered another chastening last-16 Champions League exit, falling 3-0 to Bayern Munich on aggregate.

Galtier's position is believed to have been under scrutiny for a number of months now, and the PSG board have apparently decided to part ways with the Frenchman, who was also accused of making racist comments during his time at Nice - allegations he denies.

Luis Enrique and Jose Mourinho were considered two strong candidates for the job, but in recent days, it has been claimed that ex-Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann is now the favourite.

The 35-year-old - who dropped out of the race to become Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur's new boss - is understood to have held positive talks with PSG chiefs, but the French champions will need to pay Bayern significant compensation if they wish to hire him.

Thierry Henry was supposedly under consideration for the role of assistant head coach under Nagelsmann, but the ex-Arsenal and France striker is no longer thought to be in the running for the job.