Zinedine Zidane has already explained why he would turn down Manchester United
Zinedine Zidane is reportedly one of the names on Sir Jim Ratcliffe's list to replace Erik ten Hag should the Dutchman get sacked - though Zidane has said no to Manchester United in the past
Manchester United's hopes of luring Zinedine Zidane to Old Trafford could hinge on whether the Frenchman has changed his mind about working in England.
Zidane, 52, has been out work since leaving Real Madrid for the second time in 2021, and reports linking him with the United job have been popping up ever since. Erik ten Hag is under immense pressure after two defeats in United's first three Premier League matches, the latest of which being a 3-0 hammering at the hands of rivals Liverpool.
As such, rumours are swirling that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is eyeing up possible replacements, with Zidane one of several names reportedly being considered. The Red Devils approached the 1998 World Cup winner following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's dismissal back in 2021, only for Zidane to rule himself out of the running.
Explaining his decision to French outlet L'Equipe, he said: "Would I want to go to Manchester [United]? 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."
Whether Zidane's English has improved since then is anyone's guess, but United will presumably have to cross him off their list it hasn't. That said, reports in France claim Zidane was interested in taking over at the club a few months ago, prior to Ten Hag extending his stay.
The same can be said for former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, who spoke to United following his Bayern Munich departure at the end of last season. It's understood an agreement was close to being finalised, though United ultimately ended up sticking with Ten Hag amid reports Tuchel was unsatisfied with the club's transfer policy.
The German is still out of work, and a second approach could be on the cards should United and Ten Hag part ways in the coming weeks. His Chelsea successor Graham Potter and ex-England manager Gareth Southgate - two coaches Ratcliffe has reportedly admired for years - are also in contention for the job should the axe swing.
Zidane, meanwhile, has had something of an unconventional managerial career. After two years in charge of Real Madrid Castilla, he was promoted to first team coach in 2016. He won the Champions League in his first season at the helm before successfully defending the title twice - becoming, at the time, only the third manager to win the tournament three times after Bob Paisley and Carlo Ancelotti.
He quit the job in 2018, only return to return less than a year later. His second stint wasn't quite as fruitful as his first, with Madrid clinching just one major honour (the La Liga title) in the two-and-a-bit years that followed.
Since leaving the post at the end of the 2020/21 season, several attempts have been made to coax Zidane back into management. Bayern Munich have shown an interest in him in the past, as have several national teams including USA, Brazil and Algeria - the birthplace of both of his parents.
'Zizou' has ultimately rejected all advances thus far, but has insisted in recent months that his managerial career isn't over. "Anything can happen," he said back in February. "Now I’m doing other things, but we'll see. I'd certainly like to return to the bench."
In 2022, he suggested he'd return to the dugout if the right offer came along. "Never say never," Zidane told L’Equipe. "Especially when you are a coach today. If I go back to a club, it is to win. I say this with all modesty. That's why I can't just go anywhere."
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