The reason why Zidane declined the USMNT job
The United States Soccer Federation wanted to give the French manager the job and start preparing the team for the 2026 World Cup.
The US Soccer Federation is deciding who will manage the United States men’s national team as they look ahead to the 2026 World Cup when they co-host the tournament alongside Mexico and Canada. Gregg Berhalter’s contract expired at the end of December and it seems that US Soccer is shopping around instead of offering him an extension.
Zidane on the radar
Reports from France leaked out stating that Zinedine Zidane declined an offer from US Soccer to manage the United States men’s national team in the new World Cup cycle. The former Real Madrid and Juventus legend didn’t even hear the proposal from the USMNT because the only national team job he is interested is France.
Zizou has been without a job since leaving Real Madrid at the end of the 2021 season and it has been rumored that he will be Didier Deschamps replacement once his contract is done with the French national team. Zidane will have to wait at least until 2026 because Deschamps will be in charge for a fourth World Cup after signing a new deal this weekend.
It was also reported that Zinedine Zidane declined to listen to the proposals from Brazil and Portugal. Making it very clear that he will only manage France at the international level and that he is in no rush in taking a head coach job. Per report, Zizou declined the offers from the USMNT, Brazil and Portugal because he doesn’t speak the language and he doesn’t want to move.