Sources close to Major League Soccer outfit New York City FC claim Zinedine Zidane was sounded out as a possible candidate to replace Patrick Vieira, however turned down the opportunity as it was too soon following his departure from Real Madrid.
Zidane left the European giants last month despite winning three Champions League trophies in a row.
After failing to attract Zidane, New York City FC then turned to Spanish coach Domènec Torrent and announced his appointment as Head Coach on 11th June on their website. He immediately replaced outgoing Patrick Vieira who heads to Nice to take up his first European Head Coach position.
Torrent, former Head Coach of Girona FC and Assistant Coach at Barcelona FC and Bayern Munich, told NYCFC.com,
“Though I have enjoyed a wonderful 11 years working alongside my colleague and close friend Pep Guardiola – it has always been my ambition to manage a team again and I really couldn’t have hoped for a better opportunity than at this football club.”
Torrent had most recently been Pep Guardiola’s assistant at New York City’s sister club Manchester City FC. His appointment is still pending the approval of a US work permit.
SO what of Zidane’s future? His last act as Madrid boss was beating Liverpool 3-1 in the Champions League final. Since his voluntary departure Zidane has been linked with the Chelsea top job with current Head Coach Antonio Conte linked away.
However, former Juventus and France teammate and current French National Team Manager Didier Deschamps believes Zizou’s future is in international management.
Deschamps believes Zidane’s ultimate job is leading the national team to a World Cup like ihe did twice as captain and lifting the trophy in 1998.
Speaking ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Russia, Deschamps said,
“It’s not me who holds the keys (to the national team), it’s my president.”
“I don’t know what he (Zidane) has decided. For now, I think he wants to enjoy his rest, his family and loved ones.
“He will be coach at some point. When? I cannot say, but that seems logical to me. It will happen when it happens.”
There’s little doubt former Ballon d’Or winner Zinedine Zidane will manage the French national side in the future, but is an MLS dugout still a possibility? Rumours continue to circle around the future of a number of MLS coaches, but one Club that may attract the Frenchman is Florida’s Orlando City.
Orlando City is currently managerless after parting ways with Jason Kreis on Friday. Orlando have shocked the world before when they recruited Kaka in 2014 as their first ever Designated Player. The appointment of Zidane would blow that announcement out the water.
