According to a former teammate of the Frenchman, Zinedine Zidane has named the only three clubs he’d choose to manage in the future.
Thomas Gravesen, who played with Zidane at Real Madrid between 2005-2006 spoke about the Frenchman and recalled a conversation they had between them two years ago.
He stated: “I spoke to Zidane in Madrid two years ago, and he told me that there are only three roles that he would like to accept.
“And they are Marseille, Madrid, and the French team.”
Zidane has been out of management since 2021, when he left Real Madrid after they went trophyless for the first time since the 2009-10 season.
However, the former Madrid manager still remains as one of the best managers in world football, so it’s not surprising that Man United are keen on having him replace Erik Ten Haag.
It is believed that Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has recently obtained a 27.7% share in the club, wants to make Zidane the next United manager.
🚨 Over the past few months, Jean-Claude Blanc has kept a line of dialogue open with Zinedine Zidane. Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS and Blanc have long been admirers of Zidane. #MUFC [@MiguelDelaney] pic.twitter.com/LgS39agBug
— mufcmpb (@mufcMPB) March 1, 2024
In 2022, the Frenchman dismissed claims to succeed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at United because of his lack of fluency in English.
He said: “For other reasons, too, I might not be able to go everywhere. Which ones? The language, for example,”
“When people say to me, ‘Do you want to go to Manchester?’ I understand English, but I don’t fully master it.”
Why Would Man United Replace Ten Haag With Zidane?
Erik ten Haag has only been at United since July 2022, and with their Carabao Cup success last season, it looked as if United might finally be on their way back to knock City off their perch.
However, fans are already starting to lose patience with the Dutchman, as this season his side finished last in the group stage of the Champions League and are 6th in the Premier League.
With United no longer challenging for the title and battling it out to get a top-four place, the FA Cup is the only silverware they are able to achieve this season. This would mean that if they don’t win the FA Cup, then Ten Haag would have only achieved one piece of silverware in the two seasons he’s been in England.
A late defeat at Old Trafford.#MUFC || #MUNFUL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 24, 2024
For a club like Man United, which is one of the biggest clubs in the world, they want to be competing and challenging for the Premier League and Champions League every season.
Zinedine Zidane is a manager who has proven success at the highest level and has a strong track record of managing top-tier players. The Frenchman won the Champions League three times in consecutive seasons as the manager for Real Madrid.
His success is not only defined by his tactical approach but also by his ability to manage egos, handle pressure, and deliver results in high-stakes competitions. His counter-attacking prowess and his encouragement of individual brilliance perfectly suit what United need.
Zinedine Zidane’s Honours As A Manager:
- 2x World’s Best Club Coach
- 3x Champions League Winner
- 2x La Liga Champion
- 2x Spanish Super Cup Champion
- 2x FIFA Club World Cup
- 2x UEFA Super Cup Champion
Erik Ten Haag Honours As A Manager:
- 1x English League Cup Winner
- 3x Dutch Champion
- 2x Dutch Cup Winner
- 1x Dutch Super Cup Winner
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