Ruben Amorim has been sacked as Manchester United manager with Zinedine Zidane’s name likely to be mentioned with the job once more
Tom Sunderland Sports Writer
08:10, 05 Jan 2026
Zinedine Zidane has already addressed rumours linking him to Man United – and it wasn’t positive news for the English giants(Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United could be disappointed in their search for a Ruben Amorim successor if they go after Zinedine Zidane. That’s after the World Cup-winner already gave a damning answer concerning a potential contract at Old Trafford.
Amorim, 40, has been sacked as United boss after disappointing 1-1 draw away to Leeds on Sunday. In the aftermath, he suggested he’ll leave when his contract expires in 18 months, insisting he came to United “to be the manager, not the coach,” and took aim at certain board members to focus on their jobs. However, his departure has come much earlier, with the decision made on Monday morning.
United haven’t budged from sixth in the Premier League, but there are only four points between them and Crystal Palace in 14th. The campaign is reminiscent of the 2021/22 campaign that saw them finish sixth before Erik ten Hag took over that summer.
It was around the same time Zidane, who has been a free agent since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, gave a direct hint at his prospects of taking over in Manchester. And despite being highly desirable candidate for the position, he nodded to one key impasse that could stop any chance of the switch.
Speaking to L’Equipe at the time, he gave a nine-word response when addressing United rumours specifically, which may suggest he’ll never work in the Premier League: “I understand English, but I don’t fully master it.”
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He continued: “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.”
From that, one might assume Zidane wouldn’t be comfortable taking a job in England unless he was fluent in the language. The Frenchman spent the last five years of his playing career at Real before joining the club’s advisory board and then climbing the coaching ranks.
It resulted in one of the most prolific managerial spells in history, claiming three Champions League titles, two league wins and two FIFA Club World Cups in only four-and-a-half seasons. United could only dream of such success in their current mould, though their issues run far deeper than coaching selection alone.
Ruben Amorim has been sacked(Image: Getty Images)
Zidane’s former France team-mate and fellow 1998 World Cup-winner Emmanuel Petit has since revealed his old colleague has spent time learning English. Speaking to DAZN Bet in 2023, Petit suggested this means Zidane has “changed his mind about managing a team in England,” though there’s nothing concrete to suggest as much.
There’s also the major barrier of a certain vacancy soon to open up at the France helm. Didier Deschamps’ highly successful run as boss of Les Bleus will end after the 2026 World Cup, and it’s widely believed Zidane is being lined up as his heir.
One can understand why taking control of his national side is a far more attractive prospect than attempting to resuscitate United. However, it may work in Amorim’s favour if arguably the best free-agent coaching option on the market doesn’t want his job.
From a United perspective, the club needs captain Fernandes back as soon as possible, which Amorim has hinted could be this month. The next obstacle is a trip to Turf Moor to face Burnley on Wednesday, where anything but three points would only encourage speculation Amorim is bound for the exit.
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