Zinedine Zidane has reportedly made it clear that he would only consider taking over as Manchester United manager if certain key conditions are met, as speculation continues to grow following the dismissal of Rúben Amorim.
Amorim was relieved of his duties on Monday, bringing an end to a 14-month spell in charge at Old Trafford.
He departs with United sitting sixth in the Premier League standings, still within reach of European qualification but far from the standards expected of the club.
His exit followed a tense 1–1 draw away to rivals Leeds United, after which Amorim publicly reflected on his role at the club, stating that he had agreed to be “a manager, not just a coach” when he was appointed.
Despite those remarks, Manchester United’s official statement announcing his departure once again referred to him as head coach, a detail that did not go unnoticed.
In the immediate aftermath of Amorim’s sacking, it was confirmed that under-18s coach Darren Fletcher would oversee first-team affairs on a temporary basis.
However, reports from BBC Sport suggest Fletcher will not remain in charge for long. Instead, United are planning to appoint an interim manager to see out the remainder of the season, before turning their attention to a permanent appointment in the summer.
Several names have already emerged as potential long-term successors. Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, and ex-England head coach Gareth Southgate are all said to be under consideration. Each option presents different advantages.
Maresca and Southgate are currently unattached, which would reduce costs, while Glasner is entering the final months of his Palace contract, meaning United could avoid paying significant compensation fees at a time when they are already absorbing the financial impact of previous managerial dismissals.
Alongside those candidates, Zidane remains an intriguing alternative.
The Frenchman has been without a club since leaving Real Madrid for the second time in 2021, but he has repeatedly hinted that a return to management is not far away.
Speaking before a charity event late last year, Zidane suggested he would be back on the touchline “very soon,” fuelling further speculation.
Zidane has long been linked with the France national team job, with many expecting him to eventually succeed Didier Deschamps after the 2026 World Cup.
Nonetheless, reports indicate that a high-profile club role could still tempt him. French outlet L’Équipe previously claimed Zidane was more intrigued by the idea of managing Manchester United than taking over at Bayern Munich, should the opportunity arise.
While Zidane has in the past expressed reservations about managing in England due to language barriers, those concerns may no longer be decisive.
Former teammate Emmanuel Petit revealed that Zidane has been improving his English in recent years, potentially removing one of the main obstacles to a Premier League move.
Petit has also shed light on Zidane’s mindset regarding Manchester United.
According to him, Zidane would not accept the role unless the club could guarantee stability and provide a squad capable of competing at the highest level.
He believes Zidane is acutely aware of the turbulent environment that has surrounded United in recent seasons and would only commit if he felt genuine solutions were in place.
In short, Zidane would demand clarity, quality, and control before agreeing to take on what remains one of football
