Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a co-owner of Manchester United, reportedly harbors aspirations of appointing Zinedine Zidane, the former Real Madrid manager, to take charge of the club. This desire stems from growing uncertainty surrounding the future of current manager Erik ten Hag.
Manchester United’s recent 2-1 defeat to Fulham at Old Trafford marked their 10th loss in the Premier League this season, further complicating Ten Hag’s position.
Goals from Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi intensified the pressure on the Dutch manager, adding to criticisms of United’s playing style under his leadership.
Notably, football pundit Gary Neville has expressed skepticism about Ten Hag’s ability to retain his job, suggesting that decisions may already have been made behind the scenes by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford, co-owners of the club, awaiting an opportune moment for confirmation.
While Julian Nagelsmann and Roberto De Zerbi have been mentioned as potential candidates for the managerial role at Manchester United, reports indicate that Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s primary objective is to secure the services of Zinedine Zidane.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly determined to restore Manchester United’s prominence in English and European football, viewing Zidane as the ideal candidate to lead the club to success. However, this ambition casts further doubt on Erik ten Hag’s position, as Ratcliffe has yet to offer public support for the current manager.
According to Santi Aouna and Sebastien Denis, Zidane’s potential appointment represents a significant departure from past considerations, suggesting a shift in the club’s strategic approach.
The influence of Jean-Claude Blanc, who previously attempted to recruit Zidane for Paris Saint-Germain, underscores the seriousness of United’s pursuit of the esteemed manager.
Zidane’s illustrious playing career, coupled with his managerial achievements at Real Madrid, including multiple La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles, solidify his reputation as one of the most successful figures in football history.
