Over the recent months, Erik ten Hag’s role at Manchester United has come under scrutiny twice with a run of poor performances from The Red Devils. With his job on the line, elite managers like Zinedine Zidane have been linked to the role as replacements.
After hanging up his boost with Real Madrid in 2006, Zidane took a few years out before returning to the club in 2010 as an Advisor of Management before becoming the club’s Sporting Director.
Then in 2012, he started his management journey, coaching Madrid’s Under-17s side before going on to be assistant manager of the senior squad.
In 2016 Zidane was appointed manager of the senior squad, starting his five years in charge at the Spanish capital.
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Over the five years, Zidane was awarded World’s Best Club Coach twice in back-to-back years. With the club he won the Champions League three years running, back-to-back Fifa Club World Cups, back-to-back UEFA Supercups, the LaLiga twice and two Spanish Supercups.
So, it’s easy to see why he’s regarded as an elite manager.
However, there have always been doubts about him managing in the Premier League over his limited understanding of English.
Zinedine Zidane voices his thoughts on Premier League management
Speaking to L’Equipe back in 2022, Zinedine Zidane discussed the potential of managing Manchester United or other Premier League teams.
The France international said: “Never say never.”
He continued: “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. For other reasons, too. Certain conditions make things more difficult. When someone says to me, ‘Do you want to go to Manchester [United]? ‘ I understand English but I don’t fully master it.
“I know there are coaches who go to clubs without speaking the language, but I work differently. To win, many elements come into play. It’s a global context. I know what I need to win. Of course, I might not always win, but I know that you need to have this, this and this. And I want to do everything on my side to optimise my chances of victory.”
From the interview, Zidane isn’t ruling out managing in England, however, it’s clear that a lot of thought would go into the decision if he was offered the role.
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