I'm pals with Zinedine Zidane - I know the job he really wants and it's not Saudi Arabia

Zinedine Zidane has been linked with succeeding Erik ten Hag at Manchester United but has also emerged as a target for the new Saudi Arabia vacancy.

The Real Madrid legend has been out of work since 2021 but won three successive Champions League trophies during his first stint in charge of Los Blancos, before returning to claim his second La Liga title as manager in 2020. In his time away from the dugout, Zidane has reportedly been targeted by many teams, including United, and the latest is the Saudi Arabia national team.

On Thursday, ex-Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini, who became the world's best-paid manager last year, left his role as Saudi Arabia manager. Italian outlet Calciomercato has claimed that Zidane will be the country's top target, which may come as a blow to United. Despite being in demand, according to former teammate Christophe Dugarry, Zidane was rejected when he offered to take charge of France - which is the job he truly wants and could see him hold fire on taking another one until a spot opens up.

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"He has already offered his services to the French team and said he wanted it and was waiting for it, it's no longer a secret," Dugarry told RMC. "Who am I to talk if Zidane wants to go to Saudi Arabia or elsewhere? He offered his services to the French team and for years the door has not been open and he has been told 'it's not possible'."

Zidane's managerial success and legendary status as a player for France has led Zizou to repeatedly be touted with taking over from Didier Deschamps,