ZINEDINE ZIDANE has agreed a sensational return to Juventus – to work as a director.
Former Real Madrid manager Zidane is currently out of work after quitting the Bernabeu at the end of last season.
But he has agreed to join Juve’s technical staff and will work alongside Fabio Paratici as a director.
That is according to Spanish outlet Libertad Digital, who claim radio station El Primer Palo will divulge more details of the deal tonight.
Zidane’s supposed appointment at Juve comes just days after Cristiano Ronaldo signed for the club.
The manager and Ronaldo were part of the Real Madrid side that won a third consecutive Champions League crown in May.
Zidane quit in May, citing fatigue, and was replaced by Julen Lopetegui.
Juventus legend
Zidane moving to Juventus is certain not a surprise, considering his history with the club.
The former midfielder was Juve’s for five years before he was sold to Real for a then-record transfer fee of €77.5m in 2001.
He left Juventus having won two Serie A titles but never clinched the Champions League with the Old Lady.
He was signed after Juve beat Ajax on penalties in the 1996 final and was on the losing side in both 1997 and 1998 as the Turn club lost to Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid respectively.
Joe Short✔@_jshort
Zinedine Zidane joining Juventus was supposedly fuelled by Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer. He will join in October, claim Libertad Digital #juve
Zidane to Juventus
Fast forward two decades and Juve appear determined to match the likes of European superpowers Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG and Bayern Munich once again by investing heavily in the squad this summer.
They paid Real £105m for Ronaldo, who has penned a four-year contract worth £106m.
Juve chief Beppe Marotta is determined to bring the Champions League back to Turin, with the club having lost their last five European Cup finals.
That includes a 4-1 defeat to Zidane’s Real in Cardiff last year.
It was thought Zidane was due to take a break from football before heading back into management for the start of the 2019/20 campaign.
The France post was also tipped to go to the 1998 World Cup winner, but Didier Deschamps looks set to keep his job after Les Bleus won the World Cup on Sunday.
Pressure on Allegri
Zidane’s arrival at Juve would certainly put pressure on manager Max Allegri to deliver the Champions League this season.
The Italian, who took over from Antonio Conte in 2014, has won the league in each of his four seasons at Juve and reached two Champions League finals.
There were reports earlier in the year that he could quit the club this summer – but Allegri is determined to give Europe at least one more crack this term.
Juve are expected to dominate Serie A once again this season, with Napoli their only realistic challengers for the title.
Both Milan clubs are in turmoil off the pitch, while Roma lost talisman Radja Nainggolan to Inter in the transfer market and goalkeeper Alisson is tipped to leave as well.