Zinedine Zidane turns down USMNT’s offer to be head coach

The US FA offered the former World Cup-winning France legend a high salary and a three-year contract, culminating with the 2026 World Cup.

FILE PHOTO: Former French footballer Zinedine Zidane smiles as he attends an event in Saint-Denis on the outskirts of Paris, marking the 20th anniversary of France’s 1998 World Cup victory on June 11, 2018. | Photo Credit: AFP

French football legend Zinedine Zidane rebuffed an approach to take over as head coach of the U.S. men’s national team, ESPN reported.

The U.S. Soccer Federation reached out to Zidane, 50, to gauge his interest in succeeding Gregg Berhalter but he “politely declined” through his agent, Alain Migliaccio, according to Saturday’s report.

Berhalter’s contract expired on Dec. 31 and U.S. Soccer announced this week that assistant coach Anthony Hudson will take over for friendlies in California later this month against Serbia and Colombia.

U.S. Soccer is also investigating a 1991 domestic violence incident involving Berhalter and his now-wife, Rosalind.

Zidane, a three-time FIFA World Player of the Year and 1998 Ballon d’Or winner, won a World Cup with France in 1998.

Zidane has been out of coaching since resigning from Real Madrid in May 2021.

Zidane’s goal of coaching the French national team is on hold as Didier Deschamps’ contract was renewed through 2026 on Saturday.