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French President has expressed his desire to see the return of footballing icon to domestic football's top flight.

In an interview with RMC Sport, Macron expressed his admiration for and France captain, saying he really wants "a coach of his talent" in the French Ligue 1.

"My role is to say that France is a great nation for sport and football, that there are great people who love this sport. It is important for us that the best players we have trained, who have sometimes shone at international level, can come back," Macron said.

"I hope, for the impact on the French league and for France, that [Zidane] comes back and coaches a big French club, it would be great,” he said.

Macron’s comments came as rumours circulated of interest in appointing Zidane to succeed current manager Mario Pochettino, despite the latter’s contract running until summer 2023.

Zidane, who was born in Marseille to Algerian Kabyle parents, is considered one of the greatest football players of all time, as well as one of the sport’s most successful coaches, having won a number of accolades with Real Madrid.

He led  to a total of 11 trophies during his tenure and broke several records with the club, making him its second most successful manager of all time.

Zidane left the club in May of last year following a trophyless season, and is currently not attached to any club.

As a player,  Zidane won the  with France in 1998.

He also captained the French national team side to the 2006 final, when he was infamously sent off for headbutting Italian defender Marco Materazzi. He subsequently retired from international football.

Zidane is hailed as a footballing hero not just in France, but also in  and across the Arab world.