Zidane rejects lucrative offer to be next head coach of USA national team

French football legend, Zinedine Zidane has reportedly turned down an offer to become the next coach of USA national men’s football team.

L’Equipe had reported that the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) made Zidane an offer that was attractive, both personally and sportingly, with a high proposed salary and the prospect of coaching the 2026 World Cup co-hosts.

The offer was made after the North American country’s soccer federation refused to renew the contract of Gregg Berhalter who is now being investigated over a 1991 domestic violence incident he was involved in.

Anthony Hudson was named the interim manager for January international camp, though he is unlikely to be named permanent head coach.

However, it’s been reported that Zidane, who last coached Real Madrid, is holding out to become France’s coach, even after Didier Deschamps signed an extension.

The new offer also shows that the USSF will no longer be rigid as they’ve been in past years, with the last coaching search requiring candidates to be fluent in English and willing to live in Chicago.