After Spain’s early exit in the 2022 World Cup, the Spanish Federation appointed Luis de la Fuente as head coach. However, a surprising alternative was seriously considered: Zinédine Zidane.
Former Spanish Federation sporting director Albert Luque revealed on Cadena Ser that he had planned to convince Zidane to take over La Roja:
“I’ll say it for the first time today—I would have tried to convince Zidane. It would have been the first time Spain had a foreign coach. Even Luis Rubiales wasn’t aware of it.”
Luque admired Zidane’s man-management skills, especially his ability to handle big names like Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, he admitted that he never actually spoke to Zidane, and the idea was ultimately never pursued.
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In the end, Spain’s choice of De la Fuente proved successful, leading them to win Euro 2024. Meanwhile, Zidane remains without a team, possibly waiting for his dream job: managing the French national team, a position expected to be available after the 2026 World Cup—and one that seems almost destined for him.
