Zinedine Zidane allegedly has no desire to take charge of Manchester United amid claims that he is wanted as Erik ten Hag’s replacement.
Zinedine Zidane reportedly has no desire to take charge of Manchester United amid claims that he is wanted by the club’s new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Erik ten Hag‘s position at the helm continues to be called into question, with Ratcliffe and his INEOS team thought to be considering making a change ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
A recent report claimed that Ratcliffe ‘dreams’ of appointing Zidane, with the Frenchman out of work since leaving Real Madrid in May 2021.
However, according to inews, the legendary former midfielder ‘is highly unlikely’ to accept an offer from Man United, as he has no desire to manage in England and does not believe that the Red Devils are the right fit for him at this stage of his managerial career.
The report claims that Zidane is in no rush to return to management and will therefore wait for the right opportunity, with Bayern Munich also thought to have identified him as a replacement for Thomas Tuchel.
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Dan Ashworth, who is expected to soon be named as Man United’s new sporting director, is said to have met with former Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea manager Graham Potter to discuss the role at Old Trafford.
Potter is believed to be admired by Ratcliffe, with the 48-year-old seen as the favourite to replace Ten Hag, should a change be made at the end of the campaign.
Brighton’s current manager Roberto De Zerbi is also being linked with the position, while Inter Milan head coach Simone Inzaghi is said to have admirers at the club.
Ten Hag has not yet been publicly backed by Ratcliffe, and the British billionaire is expected to wait for the season to play out before making a final decision on the Dutchman’s future.
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Man United’s form in 2024 has been strong, winning seven, drawing one and losing one of their nine matches in all competitions, and they booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a 1-0 success over Nottingham Forest last week.
The Red Devils lost 2-1 at home to Fulham in the Premier League last weekend, though, with the result denting their hopes of a Champions League finish.
The 20-time English champions are currently sixth in the table, three points behind fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur and eight from fourth-placed Aston Villa.
Man United have Premier League matches against Manchester City and Everton before welcoming Liverpool to Old Trafford for their FA Cup quarter-final on March 17.
