Ruben Amorim’s time at Manchester United has come to an end and Emmanuel Petit has revealed what Zinedine Zidane would need before considering the role
and Will Schofield Senior Sports Reporter
11:20, 05 Jan 2026
Zinedine Zidane would need two assurances to take the job(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Ex-France star Emmanuel Petit has hinted that his former teammate Zinedine Zidane would need certain assurances before he’d even contemplate stepping into the hot seat at Manchester United.
The name of the Champions League-winning gaffer has been bandied about as a possible replacement for Ruben Amorim, who was sacked by Manchester United morning after his bombshell Elland Road press conference.
The Red Devils have clawed their way up to sixth in the Premier League and are on a three-match unbeaten run, but this includes a home draw against Wolves and a 1-1 stalemate at Elland Road.
Zinedine Zidane has been away from football management since 2021(Image: Getty Images)
And Amorim’s departure has inevitably spark renewed rumours linking Zidane to the role, but coaxing the ex-Real Madrid manager back into the dugout could be a tall order.
Zidane has been off the managerial radar since 2021 when he bid adieu to Real Madrid for the second time. However, he remains a hot commodity, having bagged three consecutive Champions Leagues and two La Liga titles with Los Blancos.
Petit, who shared the pitch with Zidane for France, believes certain conditions must be met to lure him back into management. “Honestly, I know a little bit, Zizou [Zidane].
Ruben Amorim has been sacked by Manchester United(Image: Getty Images)
“And he needs to get guarantees if he wants to sign over there in Manchester United,” Petit revealed in 2024, reports the Express.
“At the moment, the environment at Manchester United for years has not been good. The stability of the bench, the level of the players as well, the expectation of the club is not the same that it used to be.
“United is still a huge club, but not on the pitch anymore. And Zizou is very conscious and very careful about that, the quality of the players.”
He went on to say: “Could he manage to overturn the situation over there? I think the only answer is yes. But at the moment, when you look at the team, I’m not convinced at all about the level of some players.
“So if I am Zizou, I think it will be very easy, actually, to answer this question [of joining United]. If I don’t speak English on top of it, that will be more problems in terms of communication in the dressing room.
“If he takes the job at Manchester United, that means he’s got solutions. At the moment, I’m not sure a lot of people have the solution to turn the situation at Manchester United.
“Does he want to leave the sunny days of Madrid? His life is in Madrid, he is dedicated to Madrid. I’m not sure that he speaks very good English as well. And communication is very important in the dressing room.”
