Former number 10 of the Blues and 1998 world champion Zinedine Zidane, October 31, 2023, in Lens, France. © Ibrahim Ezzat / Anadolu via AFP
Published on January 26, 2024 Reading: 2 minutes.
It’s a polite but firm “no.” Contacted by the president of the FAF (Algerian Football Federation) Walid Sadi the day after Algeria’s defeat in the African Cup of Nations (CAN), the 1998 world champion, Zinedine Zidane, was offered succeed Djamel Belmadi as coach of the Algerian team. Offer declined by the star, who thanked his interlocutor for his trust but explained to him that he had another project in sight.
To read: Algeria: where are the millions from the Zidane foundation going?
Daily life The Team, indicates that the man who was also coach of Real Madrid, and whose parents are from Kabylie, said he was flattered by this proposal to coach the selection, which was eliminated from the CAN in the first round. According to information from Young Africa, it was on Thursday January 25 that the president of the federation contacted the brother and the agent of the former number 10, who finally responded this Friday at 3 p.m. Despite his refusal, Zinedine Zidane assured, in essence, that “Algeria remains his country” and that if it needs him, he is ready to provide help.
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Very attached to Algeria
Shortly after the elimination of the Greens – beaten by Mauritania -, rumors circulated about the possibility of the appointment of Zinedine Zidane to replace Djamel Belmadi, himself at the head of this selection since 2018. Sites have even announced that the former number 10 of the France team had been officially appointed as the new coach of the Algerian team. Obviously, this was not the case.
Since his departure from Real Madrid in May 2021, “Zizou” has remained without a club. Also, his name comes up frequently when a prestigious position is to be filled. Rumor has him leaving for Marseille, Brazil or even England. Although he never lived in his parents’ country, Zinedine Zidane remains very attached to Algeria. In December 2006, he was welcomed like a star during his three-day trip to Algiers and his father’s native village, in Kabylia. In March 2010, he went there again for a private visit, during which he was received at the presidency by Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
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