Zinedine Zidane obstacle removed to offer U-turn for Manchester United manager job

Zinedine Zidane may be open to performing a U-turn on his previous decision not to manage in England owing to the language barrier. That's according to reports from German publication Bild as speculation over the France hero, 51, returns to the fore amid uncertainty over Erik ten Hag's future at Manchester United.

Investment from INEOS founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe was rubber-stamped by the Premier League this month and there have already been several key changes behind the scenes. The Manchester Evening News understands Ratcliffe, 71, is not entirely sold on keeping Ten Hag around following an underwhelming season.

Zidane has only ever managed Real Madrid since hanging up his boots. However, the Frenchman did lead them to three Champions League trophies across his two stints in charge; underlining his credentials an elite-level manager.

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Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi is among the would-be replacements for Ten Hag if INEOS opt to sack the Dutchman, while long-standing links with Zidane have resurfaced. Foot Mercato describe his potential appointment as the 'dream' scenario for United moving forward.

He was tipped to step into the dugout at Old Trafford twice previously. Addressing that speculation back in 2022, Zidane 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."

According to the Bild article, Zidane is monitoring the situation at Bayern