It’s been a long time coming, but Zizou is finally making his return!

For almost five years the name Zinedine Zidane has floated around European football like a mystery waiting to be solved every few months rumours rise headlines explode fans begin to dream and then silence returns since leaving Real Madrid in May 2021 the French legend has remained away from the touchline watching observing waiting and many wondered if he would ever return to management or if his story as a coach had already reached its perfect ending but now everything feels different now the whispers are stronger now there is clarity because reports suggest that Zinedine Zidane has reached a verbal agreement to return to football after the upcoming World Cup and the destination appears to be the French national team

Zidane is not just another former coach looking for a job he is a global icon a World Cup winner a Champions League legend and one of the most respected figures in modern football as a player he danced across pitches with elegance controlling games with intelligence and calm authority and as a manager he achieved what many thought was impossible guiding Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles a feat that may never be repeated in the modern era across two spells in charge he collected 11 major trophies building a legacy that places him among the elite

When he stepped away from Real Madrid in 2021 it felt like a pause not an ending he had faced intense pressure criticism and expectations at the Bernabeu yet he left with dignity trophies and the respect of players and fans alike since then he has been linked with some of the biggest jobs in football Manchester United Juventus Paris Saint Germain and even a return to Real Madrid whenever a major club changed manager his name would appear immediately but every time nothing materialised and Zidane stayed patient

Patience has always been part of his personality as a player he moved with calm as a manager he made bold decisions without noise and during this long break he refused to rush into a project that did not truly inspire him many believe there was only one job he truly wanted the chance to lead France

According to reports including comments from Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano there is now a verbal agreement between Zidane and the French federation for him to become the next manager of the national team after the World Cup currently Didier Deschamps remains in charge focused entirely on the tournament and the federation maintains full respect for him and his work but once the competition ends a new chapter is expected to begin

The symbolism of Zidane coaching France is powerful in 1998 he stood under the lights in Paris scoring twice in the World Cup final against Brazil leading his nation to its first ever world title those two headers remain etched into football history the image of him celebrating in front of a roaring home crowd became iconic years later he returned to another World Cup final in 2006 again carrying France to the biggest stage before that dramatic ending in Berlin his connection to the national team runs deep emotional and historic

Now imagine him on the sideline wearing the French tracksuit guiding a new generation that includes stars like Kylian Mbappe a player who has already expressed admiration for Zidane calling him almost untouchable in the history of French football Mbappe grew up watching Zidane highlights understanding the aura surrounding him and the idea of those two working together excites fans across the country

Zidane himself has never hidden his ambition in interviews he has admitted he would like to coach France one day he has spoken about returning to management about his love for Juventus about keeping doors open yet many insiders always believed the France job was the ultimate goal he did not want just any club he wanted a mission that connected to his identity

Managing a national team is different from club football there is less daily training less transfer control but there is national pride unity and tournament pressure Zidane understands tournament football better than most his Real Madrid side mastered knockout competitions showing mental strength tactical discipline and belief in decisive moments those qualities translate perfectly to international tournaments

Deschamps has done an extraordinary job leading France to a World Cup victory in 2018 and another final in 2022 his contract expires after the 2026 World Cup and if this verbal agreement becomes official Zidane would step into a team already filled with talent yet still hungry for more

There is risk of course Zidane’s managerial record is almost mythical he has rarely failed taking over France would bring enormous expectations if results dip critics will question whether he should have stayed away but legends rarely hide from challenges Zidane built his career on stepping forward when pressure was highest

For nearly five years fans have debated why he waited some believed he was holding out for the France job others thought he simply wanted rest after intense years at Real Madrid management at that level drains energy emotionally mentally physically perhaps he needed distance to rediscover hunger and now reports suggest that hunger is back

The football world reacts differently some celebrate believing Zidane’s return will bring charisma and tactical intelligence back to the international stage others remain cautious pointing out that verbal agreements are not signed contracts and in football anything can change quickly until pen meets paper nothing is guaranteed

Still the narrative feels aligned Deschamps focusing fully on the World Cup the federation respecting his tenure Zidane waiting patiently and the fans dreaming of a smooth transition from one World Cup winner to another

If it happens Zidane will inherit a squad blending experience and youth Mbappe entering his prime talented midfielders dynamic defenders and a generation that grew up inspired by the golden years of French football he will not need to build from zero he will need to shape mentality refine structure and bring his calm authority

One fascinating element will be style Zidane at Real Madrid often combined defensive stability with freedom for creative players he trusted individuals in big moments sometimes critics argued his system relied heavily on star quality but his record speaks loudly three consecutive Champions League titles demand more than luck they demand leadership trust and preparation

France already possess attacking firepower but tournament football requires balance Zidane’s experience in managing egos maintaining harmony and handling pressure could be decisive especially with media attention in France intense and expectations permanently high

For Zidane personally this move would close a circle from player hero in 1998 to national coach decades later it represents legacy not just as a winner but as a mentor shaping the next chapter of French football

There were moments during his break when speculation grew strong linking him back to Real Madrid or to major Premier League clubs yet something always seemed incomplete perhaps his heart was set elsewhere perhaps he believed timing matters and that rushing into another club project would distract from a bigger dream

Now as the World Cup approaches all focus remains on Deschamps but behind the scenes discussions reportedly point toward Zidane waiting ready to step in when the curtain falls

Football loves stories of return and few returns would feel more poetic than Zidane guiding Les Bleus the same nation he once led to glory as a player now seeking to guide them again from the technical area

Nothing is signed yet nothing is officially announced but momentum builds and the idea of Zidane back in management after nearly five years sends excitement across Europe because when a figure of his stature moves the entire sport pays attention

If he succeeds he could elevate his reputation from elite club manager to national legend twice over if he struggles critics will question whether staying away preserved his aura better than risking it yet greatness often involves courage

For now fans wait watching the World Cup unfold knowing that once it ends a new era may begin and in that era Zinedine Zidane might stand once more on the touchline calm composed eyes focused carrying the hopes of France and stepping back into the game that has defined his life