Zidane leads France against Belgium and revives the impossible offer

Tonight, in the UEFA Nations League, Belgium and France will face off in the French national team training, with Zinedine Zidane, known as Zidane Zidane, in charge of the side. The contact for the French coach to take charge of the Red Devils was made in January, after the dismissal of Domenico Tedesco.

An unexpected attempt by Belgium

Vincent Mannaert, Sports Director of the Belgian Federation and former Brujas Club official, admitted that the Federation had considered Zidane as a possible coach for the 2026 World Cup. IRATI PRAT showed zero comments in the Nations League and the approach took place in January, after the dismissal of Domenico Tedesco.

Zidane rejected the offer immediately, as his aim was to wait for Didier Deschamps to step down after the World Cup before taking over the French national team. There was never an option from Zinedine Zidane, Mannaert said, and he never considered managing Belgium.

Zidane ignores the Red Devils, Degryse points to French nonchalance

With the proposal to Zidane dismissed, the Belgian Federation turned to another Frenchman, Rudi Garcia, who accepted the role with the Red Devils.

Mannaert met Zidane in 2015, when he was General Director of Brujas; the coach completed a two‑day stint there with Eric Roy, Claude Makélélé, Willy Sagnol and Bernard Diomède to obtain his UEFA Pro licence. “At that time he was the coach of Real Madrid’s reserve team. I was impressed by his humility. He was offered a stay in a luxury hotel in Knokke, but he preferred to be with the squad at their training ground,” Mannaert recalled.

Red Devils leave disappointed evening against France, what a pity

The episode reveals the Belgian Federation’s ambition for the 2026 World Cup and Zidane’s priority to lead France, while tonight’s Nations League once again highlights the future plans of both national teams.