Zidane signs consultancy deal with French cable channel

Zinedine Zidane is to become a consultant with French TV station Canal Plus.

Photo: Zidane signs consultancy deal with French cable channel

In a deal that could involve providing commentary on matches, Zidane signed with the cable station because "it's a channel I know well. I will stay close to football because that's what I know how to do."

Zidane hasn't kicked a ball since he was sent off in the World Cup final on July 9 for head-butting Italy defender Marco Materazzi. France lost the match on penalty kicks following a 1-1 draw after extra time.

"I don't miss it (soccer) at all," Zidane said in Thursday's edition of L'Equipe. "When Real Madrid started the new season, I didn't feel anything. I have just been jogging and playing tennis."

The three-time FIFA World Player of the Year even finds the internet jokes and the chart-topping song "Coup de Boule" ("Head-Butt") about his dismissal humorous, reports AP.

"It amuses me more than anything," Zidane said. "Although I what I did was not funny. Anyway, it's better to laugh about it."

Zidane has no coaching plans but wants to play soccer with an amateur club next year in his hometown of Marseille.