Zidane offered MLS chance

Chicago Fire have confirmed a failed attempt to bring Zinedine Zidane out of retirement, but hope to tempt Brian McBride back to MLS.

Zidane quit professional football last summer, following France's World Cup final defeat to Italy in Germany.

But Chicago general manager John Guppy admits several MLS clubs have tried to persuade the former Real Madrid playmaker to reconsider.

"We reached out to Zidane," Guppy told the Chicago Tribune. "But so has every other MLS club.

"The feedback we've all gotten is that he's retired."

Guppy, though, is hoping for better success with McBride, with the Fulham striker considering a return to the United States.

"We offered Brian a contract," added Guppy. "He said he would love to play in Chicago, but needed to consider his options."

Henrik Larsson, currently on loan at Manchester United, was also a target for Chicago prior to his move to Helsingborgs last summer.

Guppy continued: "We were very interested in signing him, but he made it clear that he wanted to return to his home town.

"It wasn't about us not offering the right deal. It was a personal decision.

"When Manchester United came around, it was something he couldn't turn down. His representative told us when his loan with Manchester United is over, he's going back to Helsingborgs."