Zinedine Zidane Expected to Return to Management ‘Very Soon’—But Not at Liverpool
Liverpool’s season took another difficult turn on Wednesday night, and with pressure rising on manager Arne Slot, speculation over his future has intensified. Yet while bookmakers scramble to create lists of potential successors, one of football’s most decorated coaches—Zinedine Zidane—is unlikely to be the man who takes over at Anfield.
Liverpool’s Struggles Deepen
The 4–1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield marked Liverpool’s eighth loss in their last eleven matches and their third consecutive defeat by a margin of three goals. It is a run of form that would alarm any club, let alone the reigning Premier League champions.
Despite the slump, Slot is not expected to be dismissed immediately. Last season’s title success has earned him patience, but Saturday’s trip to struggling West Ham now feels decisive. A defeat in London could force Fenway Sports Group into a difficult conversation.
Names such as Xabi Alonso, Jurgen Klopp, Andoni Iraola, and Oliver Glasner have already been floated in betting circles. Yet some fans have turned attention toward one of world football’s most iconic figures—Zinedine Zidane.
Zidane: The Forgotten Giant of Management
Zidane has been out of management since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, but his résumé remains one of the most astonishing in the modern era. Across two spells at the Bernabéu, he won:
- 3 Champions League titles (consecutively)
- 2 La Liga titles
- 2 UEFA Super Cups
- 2 FIFA Club World Cups
- 2 Spanish Super Cups
His unprecedented hat-trick of European Cups remains unmatched. The last of those Champions League triumphs came in 2018 against a Liverpool team featuring Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.
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Despite his absence from the touchline, Zidane made headlines recently by insisting his return is imminent.
“It will happen soon… very soon,” he told reporters earlier this month.
A Liverpool Link That Won’t Go Anywhere—for Now
Although the idea of Zidane at Anfield excites many supporters, the reality does not align with the fantasy. Zidane has repeatedly expressed admiration for Liverpool, once calling them “a complete, strong, solid team” and warning opponents about their attacking threat.
Still, the French legend is not expected to consider the Liverpool job even if it becomes available.
That is because Zidane’s long-term ambition remains clear: he wants to become manager of the France national team.
Speaking previously, he said:
“I’d like to be head coach of the France team one day. I will return to coaching, for sure.”
Thierry Henry, Zidane’s former international teammate, has echoed the same sentiment publicly. Henry insisted Zidane is waiting patiently for Didier Deschamps to step aside after the 2026 World Cup.
“He’s waiting for the national team,” Henry said on CBS Sports. “When you’ve won three Champions Leagues with Real Madrid, why take another club job when France is the one you want?”
What It Means for Slot—and for Liverpool
Liverpool’s current downturn puts Slot in a precarious position. While the club is not known for making rash decisions, a continuation of the current freefall could force their hand sooner than expected.
But fans hoping for a Zidane-inspired reset are likely to be disappointed. Zidane’s next move appears predetermined, and all signs point to him staying available until the France job finally opens.
For Liverpool, that means any future managerial shortlist will probably focus instead on the likes of Alonso, Glasner, Iraola—or even a romantic Klopp return (depending on circumstances).
For now, Slot remains in charge, but Saturday’s clash with West Ham may define whether Liverpool’s season—and his tenure—can still be salvaged
