With Manchester United struggling in the Premier League, pressure has started mounting on boss Erik Ten Hag. The Dutch manager has extended his stay at Old Trafford this summer and his contract will expire in June 2026. Fans, however, are not quite satisfied with his coaching this season. Manchester United have managed just one victory in their three Premier League appearances this season. There are rumours that the club has already started looking for a replacement for Ten Hag.
In 2021, when Manchester United sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane was approached to take over the helm. The Frenchman reportedly turned down the offer from the Premier League outfit, referring to the language barrier. Impressed by his success at Real Madrid, many United fans wanted Zidane to take charge of their favourite club.
A few weeks after Solskjaer’s departure, the 1998 World Cup winner revealed why he won’t work in England during an interaction with L’Equipe. Zidane believes that communication is a key element in his coaching. He might understand English but his proficiency won’t be enough to manage a Premier League club.
“Would I want to go to Manchester? 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. Many elements come into play in order to win, it is a global context. I know what I need to win,” Zidane explained, as quoted by Daily Mail.
Zinedine Zidane has received job offers from several European clubs and national teams since leaving Real Madrid in 2021. He, however, has rejected all of them. The 52-year-old has already clarified that he will resume his coaching career only if the “right opportunity” arises.
Zidane became the manager of the Real Madrid reserved team in 2014 and took charge of the senior team two years later, succeeding Rafael Benitez. In his first season, Los Blancos won the Champions League, beating fellow Spanish side Atletico Madrid in the final. They replicated the success in the continental showpiece in the next two seasons.
Under his guidance, Real Madrid secured the La Liga title in the 2016-17 season while winning two FIFA Club World Cups and as many UEFA Super Cups. Zidane stepped down as the Real Madrid manager after the third Champions League triumph. He returned to the club in March 2019. During his second spell, Real Madrid became the La Liga champions in 2020.
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