- It is believed that Public Investment Fund (PIF) have identified Marseille as the ideal club to take over
- Former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is open to a return to management and is said to have an agreement to become the next Marseille manager in the event of a takeover
If the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) is successful in acquiring Marseille, Zinedine Zidane is rumored to have an agreement in place to take over as the club’s new manager.
Since departing Real Madrid in the summer of 2021, Zidane has remained unemployed. Two seasons ago, he was said to be in line for the vacant Manchester United manager position. Officials from United approached him in the aftermath of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s firing in late 2021, but he rejected the idea of playing in England.
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After serving as Real Madrid’s manager for two successful terms, the legendary former midfielder has frequently expressed his desire to return to management. During his two-year tenure at the club, he won two La Liga championships in addition to three Champions League victories.
The goal of French President Emmanuel Macron has previously been to get Zinedine Zidane to manage in Ligue 1, but the former player seems to have interest in joining Paris Saint-Germain, the archrivals of his native Marseille.
A report in France Bleu Provence has outlined how Zidane has a theoretical agreement in place with the PIF (also owners of Newcastle ), who are aiming to take over Marseille from current owner Frank McCourt. They are keen on a bid for the club although it appears that, as things stand, McCourt is unwilling to sell.
It is believed that PIF have identified Marseille as the ideal club to take over due to their status and standing in French football, with their regional rivals Qatar owning PSG through Qatari Sports Investment (QSI). PIF would bankroll Marseille to compete not only domestically in Europe.
Zidane has been linked with a third spell in charge of Los Blancos in Spain amid uncertainty over the future of Carlo Ancelotti, who has been linked with the vacant Brazil managerial role. However, Ancelotti is likely to remain in post until this summer and the club will look to go in a fresh direction thereafter.
Credit: Mirror
