Zidane: I didn't leave Real Madrid to take France job

The 1998 World Cup winner insists his decision to walk away from the Santiago Bernabeu was not made with an international coaching post in mind

Zinedine Zidane has insisted he did not leave his Real Madrid post just so he could take over as France coach.

Zidane made the shock decision to resign as Madrid head coach just days after leading the Liga giants to a third straight Champions League title.

The 45-year-old was quickly linked to taking over his nation, who under Didier Deschamps are considered among the World Cup favourites.

But Zidane said his decision to leave Madrid had nothing to do with potentially leading his country.

"The most important thing is to support the team of France," he told TF1.

"I didn't stop to want to take the team of France. I stopped to make a parenthesis.

"I'm behind the French team. We want it to bring back a second title."

Zidane claims to have made no decision on his immediate future as yet, with a welcome break being enjoyed after a stressful but successful period at the Santiago Bernabeu helm.

Quizzed on what he has planned at a promotional event, the 1998 World Cup winner said: "I've got my feet up and am feeling good.

"I don't know what I'm going to do.

"The most important thing is the decision I've taken, the rest we'll see."

France begin their 2018 World Cup campaign against Australia on Saturdaybefore meetings with Peru and Denmark in Group C.

Source : Dejan Kalinic of Goal.com