Zidane explains why he rejected Manchester United role
Manchester United could be on the lookout for a coach very soon with Erik ten Hag failing to deliver the desired results. After finishing 8th in the Premier League last season and making a terrible start to 2024/25, the Dutchman is bound to be under pressure and could be fired if things don’t get better in the very near future.
Zinedine Zidane’s name is certain to enter the fray as a possible replacement for Ten Hag. The Frenchman has been incredibly successful as a coach having won the Champions League thrice in a row amongst several other accolades although the entirety of his career in the dugout has been spent at Real Madrid.
In an interview with L’Equipe (via ESPN FC), Zidane said the following about not taking up a managerial job in England:
“Would I want to go to Manchester United? I understand English, but I’m not completely fluent in it. I know that there are coaches who go to clubs without speaking the language, but I work in a different way.”
Zidane has yet to be videoed speaking English on a public platform and as a result, it is fair to understand why he is not pursuing a role in England at this moment. The Frenchman was also linked with Chelsea but there were no concrete negotiations, the reason for which has been revealed by the man himself.
Not only is the English media incredibly hostile to most managers who are not of a domestic origin, but a manager like Zidane has been lauded more for his man management than his tactical prowess and so, being able to speak the language of the country he is pursuing a role in fluently is a crucial part of what makes him so successful.
Besides move to Premier League clubs, Zidane has even been linked with coaching roles with the likes of Bayern Munich, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain. However, there are widespread rumours that he is awaiting a vacancy with the French national side and as a result, is hesitant in taking up an assignment on a club level.
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Zidane has practically ruled himself out of coaching Manchester United, so it remains to be seen which candidates the Red Devils consider if they are scouring for Ten Hag’s replacement.
