Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has previously outlined his stance on taking the Manchester United job as speculation mounts following Ruben Amorim’s sacking
Zinedine Zidane has made his stance on managing Manchester United clear(Image: Matthias Hangst, Getty Images)
Zinedine Zidane previously stated he would need to perfect his English before entertaining the Manchester United job.
The French icon has consistently been linked with the managerial position at Old Trafford. Speculation has restarted after Ruben Amorim’s sacking on Monday. Following the 1-1 draw at Leeds United on Sunday, Amorim launched a bizarre rant at the United hierarchy.
Tensions between the Portuguese boss and the board have been building for some time and the decision was eventually taken to dismiss Amorim from his job after 14 months in charge. Zidane has been regularly floated as a leading contender to take the managerial hotseat at Old Trafford on multiple occasions since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, though he has voiced reservations in the past.
Ruben Amorim was sacked by Manchester United on Monday(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA, Getty Images)
Discussing the possibility of taking charge in Manchester, he revealed to L’Equipe in 2022: “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.”
It remains uncertain how much Zidane’s grasp of English has developed and whether he would fancy taking on the United. While he’s currently without a club, he’s been strongly linked with the France role after the 2026 World Cup when Didier Deschamps will step down after 14 years in charge.
Zidane is poised to became the next France manager in the summer(Image: Getty)
Former France international Emmanuel Petit also noted that his ex-teammate would need certain assurances to be met if he were to make his mark in Manchester. Speaking in 2024, the Premier League legend remarked: “Honestly, I know a little bit, Zizou [Zidane], and he needs to get guarantees if he wants to sign over there in Manchester United.
“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 continued: “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.”
