- Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly wants Zinedine Zidane to join Manchester United
- The Frenchman has been out of management since he left Real Madrid in 2021
- Manchester United’s Sir Jim Ratcliffe can rebuild the stadium, build a museum… but they should pay for it – Podcast Everything is beginning
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ‘dream’ is to make Zinedine Zidane Manchester United’s next permanent manager at the club, according to reports.
United’s new investor, who recently acquired a 27.7% stake in the club for £1.3bn, has been quick to start making changes behind the scenes at Old Trafford.
Ratcliffe and his INEOS team have already appointed Manchester City executive Omar Berrada as the club’s new chief executive and are trying to secure the departure of Dan Ashworth from Newcastle in the hope of making him sporting director.
Erik ten Hag is currently in the management dugout at the 13-time Premier League champions, but pressure has increased amid suggestions Ratcliffe could look to replace him in the summer.
Zidane is the British billionaire’s ideal replacement for Ten Hag and the club would be interested in signing the Frenchman if he wanted the job, as reported Foot Market.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ‘dream’ is to make Zinedine Zidane Manchester United’s next permanent manager, according to reports
Ratcliffe’s investment in Manchester United was recently approved by the FA and the Premier League
Ratcliffe could opt for a new coach to renew the Manchester United squad in the summer
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The main problem for United is that Zidane has rejected attempts from other clubs since leaving Real Madrid after his second spell as coach at the club three years ago.
Madrid remains the only team Zidane has managed since he retired from his legendary playing career in 2006, following that year’s FIFA World Cup.
The 51-year-old began his managerial career in Real Madrid’s B team before being promoted to the first-team position in 2016 and re-appointed to that role in 2019.
Zidane’s extraordinary success brought Madrid two LaLiga and Spanish Super Cup titles, three Champions Leagues and other major team honors.
Zidane could replace Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford this summer
His second spell as manager in the Spanish capital came to a disappointing end when Zidane attempted to leave following a league title race that Madrid lost to Atlético on the final day of the season.
United want to tempt the French World Cup winner to Old Trafford in the summer and believe he can help build a successful long-term project at the club.
However, Zidane recently revealed that he could one day see himself managing in Italy, where he previously played as a player for Juventus.
‘Train in Italy? Why not. Anything can happen, at the moment I’m doing something else, but I’m sure I’ll return to the bench, I’d like to,” he told Sky Sports.
