Macron says he wants Zidane back in French football amid PSG manager rumours

French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed his desire to see the return of footballing icon Zinedine Zidane to domestic football's top flight.

In an interview with RMC Sport, Macron expressed his admiration for the former Real Madrid coach and France captain, saying he really wants "a coach of his talent" in the French Ligue 1.

"My role is to say that France is a great nation for sport and football, that there are great people who love this sport. It is important for us that the best players we have trained, who have sometimes shone at international level, can come back," Macron said.

"I hope, for the impact on the French league and for France, that [Zidane] comes back and coaches a big French club, it would be great,” he said.

🎙 L'appel du pied d'Emmanuel Macron à Zidane en exclusivité sur RMC.

💬 "On a très envie d'avoir dans le championnat français un sportif et un coach de talent qui a su ramener trois grandes coupes que nous convoitons beaucoup pour nos clubs." pic.twitter.com/ahRSIydiff

— RMC Sport (@RMCsport) June 8, 2022

Macron’s comments came as rumours circulated of Paris Saint-Germain’s interest in appointing Zidane to succeed current manager Mario Pochettino, despite the latter’s contract running until summer 2023.

Zidane, who was born in Marseille to Algerian Kabyle parents, is considered one of the greatest football players of all time, as well as one of the sport’s most successful coaches, having won a number of accolades with Real Madrid.

He led the Spanish footballing giants to a total of 11 trophies during his tenure and broke several records with the club, making him its second most successful manager of all time.

Zidane left the club in May of last year following a trophyless season, and is currently not attached to any club.

As a player,  Zidane won the World Cup with France in 1998.

He also captained the French national team side to the 2006 final, when he was infamously sent off for headbutting Italian defender Marco Materazzi. He subsequently retired from international football.

Zidane is hailed as a footballing hero not just in France, but also in Algeria and across the Arab world.