Zinedine Zidane is open to managing three teams, according to former Real Madrid teammate

Zinedine Zidane has previously named the "only three roles" he would accept in a conversation with former Real Madrid teammate Thomas Gravesen.

The 51-year-old, who has been out of work since 2021 after leaving Real Madrid for the second time, continues to be linked with numerous jobs, both at international and club level.

He recently turned down the opportunity to manage Algeria's national team, despite being 'flattered' by the interest shown in him as they looked to replace Djamel Belmadi.

And last week, French publication Foot Mercato reported that Manchester United shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS "dreams" of replacing Erik ten Hag with Zidane.

Jean-Claude Blanc, the CEO of INEOS Sport, has been a long-term admirer of Zidane and even attempted to recruit the Frenchman during his time at Paris Saint-Germain.

So where will he end up? As rumours continue to swirl around his future, former Los Blancos teammate Thomas Gravesen has given a fascinating insight into Zidane's frame of mind.

Gravesen recalled a conversation they had two years back during a recent interview with Discovery+.

"I spoke to Zidane in Madrid two years ago and he told me that there are only three roles that he would like to accept," the former Denmark international recalled.

"And they are Marseille, Madrid and the French team. We were in Madrid two years ago and he told me exactly that. I also asked him if he was willing to coach again. And he told me that there were no possibilities for these three.”

Image credit: Getty

Gravesen also brought up the previously mentioned links around the Manchester United job.

He added: "I would say that the team he had in Madrid was fantastic, and he was prepared from the beginning.

"In the United the situation is different, it is very difficult to do something with the team that Ten Hag has at the moment."

Zidane spoke about his future at a film premiere last month. Asked whether he has plans to return to coaching, Zidane replied: "Why not? Anything can happen.

"But at the moment I’m doing something else. I am sure that I will return to the bench, I would like to coach again."

Topics: Manchester United, Zinedine Zidane, Erik Ten Hag, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille

Jack Kenmare

Senior Journalist at SPORTbible with a passion for long-form journalism. Almost 10 years’ experience across online and print.

@jackkenmare_