Zinedine Zidane has reportedly been in regular contact with one of Manchester United’s key decision-makers as discussions around Erik ten Hag’s future continue.
Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos team have been evaluating Ten Hag’s position after recent meetings during the international break. According to The Independent, Ineos’ chief sports executive, Jean-Claude Blanc, has kept an ongoing line of communication with Zidane. Ratcliffe and Blanc are known to be long-time admirers of the former Real Madrid manager, who remains undecided about returning to management.
Zidane’s impressive record, including three consecutive Champions League wins, is exactly the level of success Ineos wants to bring to Old Trafford. Meanwhile, Ten Hag is feeling the pressure, with United currently sitting 14th in the Premier League and holding a -3 goal difference after their worst-ever start to the season after seven games.
For now, it seems the club is sticking with Ten Hag, who extended his contract by a year over the summer. A seven-hour meeting took place in London last Tuesday with Ratcliffe, Blanc, and other decision-makers, but no concrete details have emerged from it. Despite surviving a review in June and receiving £205 million for summer transfers—bringing his total spending to over £600 million—Ten Hag’s future remains under scrutiny.
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With Thomas Tuchel no longer an option for the Man Utd job, following his recent appointment as England’s new manager, Ratcliffe will need to adjust his list of potential replacements if a decision is made to part ways with Ten Hag.
At 52, Zidane is one of the few managers with a winning track record who is currently available. However, last month, reports suggested Zidane might turn down the United job, largely because he’s not entirely comfortable with his English. In an interview with L’Equipe, he said: “Would I want to go to Manchester? I understand English, but I’m not fully fluent. There are coaches who manage without speaking the language, but that’s not my style. Many factors are involved in winning, and I know what I need to succeed.”
Despite this, United reportedly wants to keep the connection with Zidane open, should circumstances change on both sides. Zidane, who led Real Madrid to two La Liga titles and three Champions League victories, hasn’t managed since leaving the club in 2021.
Other names being considered for the United role include Graham Potter, Kieran McKenna, Simone Inzaghi, Ruben Amorim, and even Gareth Southgate.
