Zinedine Zidane has reportedly ruled out a move to Turkey despite claims earlier this week that he had “reached a preliminary agreement” to become Fenerbahce’s new head coach.
The 53-year-old has been out of management since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, following a second stint that brought 11 trophies, including three consecutive Champions League titles and two La Liga crowns.
Speculation in Turkey had suggested that Zidane was poised to replace Jose Mourinho at Fenerbahce, with local outlet Oksijen claiming he would fly to Istanbul once “negotiations on salary and contract details are completed”.
The Istanbul giants have not won the Super Lig since 2014, with rivals Galatasaray, Besiktas, Istanbul Basaksehir and Trabzonspor all lifting the title in the meantime. Their recent summer signings, including Ederson from Manchester City, Jhon Duran on loan from Al Nassr, and Marco Asensio from Paris Saint-Germain, had fuelled hopes of a Zidane-led revival.
But according to French outlet L’Equipe, Zidane has made up his mind and is instead keeping his focus on the French national team. Current boss Didier Deschamps is expected to step down after the 2026 World Cup, leaving the door open for the 1998 World Cup-winning captain.
“When the time comes, it will be a great pleasure if the opportunity arises,” Zidane told MARCA earlier this year. “I’ve put my career on hold for a while, but I fully feel like a coach.”
Several of his close associates insist the Frenchman is monitoring Les Bleus closely, with reports that some of the squad “dream” of playing under him.
