LIGUE 1
PSG confident they can convince ex-Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane to be their new coach
With Didier Deschamps having agreed to stay on as France boss, Zidane’s dream of managing his country has been put on hold.
Paris Saint-Germain haven’t given up hope of appointing Zinedine Zidane as their new manager. Despite several unsuccessful approaches in the past, L’Équipe claim that the former Real Madrid boss is now back in the running to replace Christophe Galtier at the Parc des Princes. It was previously thought that Zidane was holding out for the France national team job, but that door has closed for now, with Didier Deschamps having signed a new contract to coach Les Bleus until 2026.
Galtier set to pay for PSG’s poor 2023 run
PSG’s owners, Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), have decided to take more hands-on approach when it comes to appointing the club’s next manager. Last year, sporting director Luis Campos was the man tasked with choosing a new manager, with the Portuguese opting for Galtier, with whom he had worked at Lille. That move, however, hasn’t worked out especially well, even though the Parisians are set to limp their way to the Ligue 1 title, the minimum expectation given their resources. In 2023, PSG have suffered no fewer than eight defeats, twice as many as they had in the whole of 2022. As a result, the Qataris will be looking for a new man in the dugout for next season.
Zidane’s French dreams
Convincing Zidane to take the reins, however, is unlikely to be a simple task. The legendary midfielder has refused to answer calls in the past, although his dream of coaching France - he held talks with the French Football Federation (FFF) in May 2022 - was one of the key reasons for that. With Deschamps set to stay in the national team for just for at least the next three years, the door may have opened for PSG, although it is believed that ‘Zizou’ is somewhat sceptical over the club’s project, which has been plagued by instability and conflicts.
Qatari confidence
Despite all that, L’Équipe report that QSI are confident that they will be able to persuade Zidane to take charge. Galtier, who himself expects to stay at PSG next season, will only continue if they club are unable to find a suitable coach to replace him. French broadcaster RMC Sport, however, believe that Zidane is looking for a stable, long-term project to get involved with this summer and is holding out for a call from former club Juventus.
José Mourinho an alternative option
If PSG are unable to convince the former France star, they could instead turn their attentions to José Mourinho. The ex-Chelsea boss, now at Roma, would be the preferred option for Campos, with the pair having enjoyed a good relationship for several years, as well as working together at Real Madrid. Argentine Marcelo Gallardo, a free agent after leaving River Plate, and former PSG midfielder Thiago Motta, who is doing a fantastic job with Bologna in Serie A, are other names in the frame.