Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has moved to quell rumours that he is considering job offers from his former employers Juventus and the France national team after reports on Saturday that he was considering his options ahead of the end of the 2019-20 season.

According to reports in the UK, Juventus are keen to land Zidane to replace Maurizio Sarri this summer and are willing to offer an annual salary of eight million euros, the maximum amount the club’s wage structure allows for a managerial appointment. That sum is considerably less than the 16.8m L’Équipe stated in February the Frenchman pockets per season at Real Madrid but the lure of Turin and the scene of his glory days at the Stadio delle Alpi where he won two Serie A titles is likely to be a strong one. There is also the consideration of a reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo, whose absence has been keenly felt at the Bernabéu since he departed for Serie A in 2018.

Zidane linked with France job again

Full screen JAVIER LIZÓN (EFE)

Meanwhile, despite Didier Deschamps leading France to the World Cup and going into the Euros with Les Bleus among the favourites, Zidane continues to be linked with the national role. The Real manager landed both titles as a player with Les Bleus and remains a hugely popular figure in his native country and an obvious choice to succeed Deschamps, whose current deal runs until after the 2022 World Cup.

However, Zidane brushed off the possibility during his pre-match press conference ahead of the game against Betis on Sunday: “"They haven't called me. I'm only thinking about Real Madrid. I don't know anything about that. There's always talk...”