Zinedine Zidane in 2025: Coaching Status, Religion & Future

Few football figures command the curiosity that Zinedine Zidane still does, years after he last paced a touchline as head coach. Since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, the French legend has remained deliberately out of the spotlight, sparking endless speculation about his next move. This article separates verified facts from the noise, covering his current status, his faith, the headbutt that ended his playing career, and what credible reports say about a possible return.

Born: 23 June 1972, Marseille, France ·
Position: Attacking midfielder (player); Manager (coach) ·
Ballon d’Or: 1998 ·
World Cup titles: 1 (1998, as player) ·
Coaching titles (UCL): 3 (Real Madrid, 2016, 2017, 2018) ·
Last coaching role: Real Madrid (2019–2021)

Seven key biographical data points, from his full name to his current coaching status:

Which team is Zidane coaching now?

Zidane’s current role (unemployed as of May 2025)

As of mid-2025, Zinedine Zidane holds no coaching position at any club or national team. His Transfermarkt profile lists his occupation as “Investor,” not head coach. He last managed Real Madrid during the 2020–21 season, leaving by mutual agreement in May 2021. Sports Illustrated reported that Zidane has been out of the managerial spotlight since then, taking a deliberate career pause.

The implication: Despite persistent headlines, there is no active contract tying Zidane to any team. He is a free agent with a UEFA Pro Licence (Transfermarkt).

What is Zinedine Zidane doing now?

Beyond his self-described role as an investor, Zidane has kept a low profile. He has largely stepped away from the football ecosystem, occasionally appearing at UEFA events or friendlies. Publicly, his main focus is family and personal projects. No active coaching, punditry, or formal ambassadorship has been confirmed.

Recent rumors about France national team

Speculation about Zidane succeeding Didier Deschamps as France manager has intensified. World Soccer Talk, citing Diario AS journalist Jose Felix Diaz, reported in 2025 that Zidane has decided to return to coaching and would take charge of France after the 2026 World Cup. Goal adds that the French Football Federation is reportedly preparing to appoint Zidane once Deschamps departs post-2026.

The catch: None of these reports have been confirmed by the FFF or Zidane’s representatives. The timeline remains speculative.

The pattern: Zidane is waiting for the France job, a clear yet unconfirmed strategy that links his future to the national team’s roadmap.

What religion is Zidane?

Zidane’s religious background

Zinedine Zidane was born in Marseille to Algerian Kabyle parents and raised in a Muslim household. Multiple biographical sources, including Wikipedia, note that his full name — Zinedine Yazid Zidane — reflects his Algerian heritage, and he has been described as a practicing Muslim.

Public statements on faith

Zidane rarely discusses his faith publicly. In a 2006 interview with Le Monde, he acknowledged his Muslim upbringing but emphasized that his private beliefs are personal. No public controversies or statements have challenged his religious identity.

Is Zidane fluent in Arabic?

Zidane’s mother tongue is French. He learned Spanish and Italian during his playing stints in those countries. Arabic is not a language he speaks fluently, despite his Algerian Kabyle heritage. His media appearances are almost exclusively in French, Spanish, or Italian.

Why did Zidane retire so early?

Physical decline and World Cup 2006

Zidane hung up his boots at age 34, immediately after the 2006 World Cup final. Wikipedia records that he announced his retirement before the tournament, citing physical fatigue and a desire to end on his own terms. The infamous headbutt on Marco Materazzi in that final became his last competitive act as a player.

Personal reasons and family

In later interviews, Zidane said he wanted to spend more time with his family and avoid the physical toll of top-level football. Sports Illustrated quotes him saying that stepping away from playing allowed him to focus on his children and personal projects.

Did Zidane ever apologize?

The headbutt incident

In the 110th minute of the 2006 World Cup final, Zidane headbutted Italy’s Marco Materazzi in the chest after an exchange of words. He received a red card in his final match. Materazzi later told Italian media, “I didn’t expect Zidane’s reaction at that moment. I just said something I shouldn’t have” (Wikipedia).

Public statements later

Zidane has expressed regret for the action. In a 2010 interview with RMC Sport, he said he apologized to the millions of children watching, though he stopped short of a direct apology to Materazzi. No formal, widely reported apology to Materazzi exists.

Will Zidane ever coach again?

Current coaching status (free agent)

Zidane remains unattached. Transfermarkt lists his current role as “Investor,” and he has not accepted any coaching offer since leaving Real Madrid in 2021.

Market speculation

Zidane himself has fueled the possibility. Sports Illustrated reports him saying, “I will surely return to coaching,” and “I feel like I can do something with the national team, that’s what I would like to do one day.” The most concrete reports, from Goal and World Soccer Talk, point to a post-2026 World Cup role with France — but nothing is finalized.

Why this matters: If the France job materializes, Zidane would return to management with one of the most talent-rich national teams in the world, after a six-year break. The stakes for his legacy are high.

The pattern is clear: Zidane is waiting for the right opportunity, and France appears to be the only job that could lure him back. For the French Football Federation, the clock is ticking toward 2026. If they want Zidane, they need to align Deschamps’ exit with his availability — or risk losing him to another suitor.

Frequently asked questions