Zinedine Zidane reaches 'verbal agreement' over new job after Man Utd links

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Zinedine Zidane is set to become France ’s new manager, with an appointment seemingly close. The former Real Madrid and Juventus star has been out of work since leaving the Bernabeu for the second time in 2021.

He has regularly been linked with taking the reins at Manchester United , while the French national team have long admired him.

And it appears that Zidane could finally be set to return to the dugout over the coming months. According to Le Parisien, the 53-year-old has reached a verbal agreement with the nation to take the reins from Didier Deschamps after this summer’s World Cup.

Giving an update on the search for a new boss, French Football Federation (FFF) president Philippe Diallo suggested that an announcement could be made soon. Speaking in an interview Le Figaro , he said: "Yes, I know his name."

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Diallo added: "It takes a profile that ticks many boxes and which can also be the subject of support from the French people, since this French football team is the team of the French people.

The FFF chief also confirmed that they had received "fewer than five applications," with each of those interested in the role being French. France will take on Norway, Senegal and the winners of an Inter-Confederation playoff at this summer's World Cup.

Zidane had previously hinted that he was closing in on a return to management earlier this season. He said: “It will happen soon. Very soon.”

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Zidane added: "I’d like to be the head coach of the France team one day. I will surely return to coaching."

One of Zidane’s former teammates Nicolas Anelka had previously given his take on him taking the reins with France and suggested that he would be an excellent appointment.

He said: "I don't know if it's official, but I think it will be Zidane. Everyone says it will be him, and he's the best choice; he proved it at Real Madrid. He was a good coach. He will be a good leader for the French players."

While Zidane is due to return to management over the coming months, United still have a decision to make over the man in the Old Trafford dugout. Michael Carrick was appointed as Ruben Amorim’s successor earlier this season and he has impressed with seven wins from ten games in the Premier League - leaving the Red Devils sitting third in the table heading into the final international break of the campaign.