Zidane: ‘Lippi made me at Juventus, I would like Italy future’

Zinedine Zidane attended the premiere of a documentary on former Italy and Juventus coach Marcello Lippi and commented on his own future. ‘I would like to coach in Italy.’

The Ballon d’Or winner and France legend first made his mark at Juve under Lippi’s guidance, playing for the Bianconeri from 1996 until his record-breaking move to Real Madrid in 2001.

“As a coach, I learned a great deal from both Lippi and Carlo Ancelotti,” Zidane told Sky Sport Italia and DAZN.

“Lippi was the first coach who really believed in me. He brought me to Juve and I became the player I was thanks to him.”

The last match of his career also crossed paths with Lippi, who was the coach of the Italy squad that won the 2006 World Cup Final on penalties.

Zidane was sent off in extra time for head-butting Marco Materazzi in the chest and had already announced his retirement before that shocking incident.

Meanwhile, Zidane has been linked with a potential return to Serie A and Juventus as a coach replacing Max Allegri next season.

He was asked if he would like to experience management in Italy too.

“Why not, anything could happen. I would like to coach in Italy one day.”

The 51-year-old was an assistant manager to Ancelotti, then took the main job in two different spells from January 2016 to May 2018, and again from March 2019 to June 2021.

“I am not coaching at the moment, but why not? I like Italy and I like that they love football in Italy.”