Chelsea was quite interested in landing a multi-Champions League-winning coach. But the coach never shared that interest, and the London club was rejected every time.
For a coach who has been away from the game for several years, Zinedine Zidane has remained one of the most sought-after figures in football. Now, with his return on the horizon, new details have emerged about how close he came to taking charge of a Premier League team.
According to AS, Chelsea made a serious attempt to bring Zidane to Stamford Bridge during his time away from the sidelines. The club reportedly "pursued strongly" the former Real Madrid coach, whom they saw as a potential long-term solution amid constant changes at the helm. But despite the interest, the outcome was never in doubt.
Zidane, who left Real Madrid in 2021, is the big favorite to become the next coach of France, replacing Didier Deschamps after the next World Cup. While clubs across Europe continued to circle, Zidane's attitude remained notably patient.
Information indicates that he has always limited his options to two benches: the French national team and Real Madrid, where he could return. Hence, even important proposals, like Chelsea's, went nowhere.
Chelsea's interest came at a turbulent time when the London club had changed coaches several times in search of stability and identity. Zidane's resume made him an obvious target, but his long-term vision outweighed any short-term opportunity.
Chelsea has not been the only club to try. PSG and Al Hilal also explored the possibility of signing Zidane, with the Saudis even offering a substantial sum. Even so, none of those proposals altered his plans.
Zidane's resume on the sidelines continues to command respect in the football world. During his time at Real Madrid, he won nine titles, including a Champions League and a league title.
That track record has elevated him to a category of coaches who can afford to wait for the perfect role rather than chase the next available one. His absence from the sidelines has only increased the intrigue.
Instead of rushing his return to the bench, Zidane has remained selective, spending time with family and staying connected to football from a distance. That patience now appears to be paying off.
With Didier Deschamps expected to step aside after the World Cup, Zidane's path to the French national team looks increasingly clear. Taking the reins of France would be a natural step in his career, bridging his achievements as a player with a new challenge as a coach.
It is also a role that carries both prestige and expectation, given the depth of talent within the national setup. For Chelsea, the renewed attention on their old attempt serves as a reminder of how difficult it is to land a coach of Zidane's profile.
For Zidane himself, the decision has always been a matter of timing and purpose. While clubs across Europe tried to tempt him back, he remained focused on a single goal. Now, with his return near, it seems patience has led him exactly where he wanted to go.
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