Zinedine Zidane would turn down a move to Manchester United and there are “only three roles” that the Real Madrid legend would be interested in accepting.
That is according to former Denmark midfielder Thomas Gravesen, who played alongside France legend Zinedine Zidane at La Liga side Real Madrid.
Zidane, who has only coached Madrid in his career so far, has not returned to management since his second spell at Los Blacnos came to an end in 2021.
During his first spell at the La Liga outfit, the 51-year-old Frenchman lifted an incredible three consecutive Champions League trophies and a La Liga title.
Zidane’s second run at Madrid saw him clinch another La Liga trophy, with the former Los Blancos and Juventus star leaving the club again in 2021.
The Ballon d’Or winner had been heavily linked with Manchester United in the past and Zidane has once again been tipped with a move to Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag has been under mounting pressure this season and the Dutchman’s future at Old Trafford has been shrouded in mystery amid Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival.
Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who completed a minority stake purchase in United, has reportedly identified Zidane as one potential replacement for Erik ten Hag.
Zidane ‘only’ interested in three clubs
Zinedine Zidane has attracted interest from former side Juventus, as well as being linked with Manchester United and the France national team.
‘Zizou’ had been heavily linked with the France team, but Didier Deschamps committed his future to the national team after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Speaking to Discovery Plus, Thomas Gravesen claimed that he had spoken with Zidane and the former Real Madrid star only wanted to manage three teams.
“I spoke to Zidane in Madrid two years ago and he told me that there are only three roles that he would like to accept,” he said (via Marca).
“And they are Marseille, [Real] Madrid and the French national team.
“We were in Madrid two years ago and he told me exactly that.
“I also asked him if he was willing to manage again and there he told me that only if there were possibilities for those three.”
Zidane’s potential as Man Utd manager
Ten Hag remains committed to his future at United and the Dutchman is facing an uphill battle in securing a Premier League top-four finish for the club.
However, the Red Devils are still in the FA Cup and punched their ticket to the quarter-finals after beating Nottingham Forest 1-0 in the fifth round at City Ground.
Gravesen was asked about Zidane’s potential as United manager and the former Madrid player admitted the Frenchman would have a “difficult” time at Old Trafford.
“I would say that the team he had in Madrid was fantastic, and he was prepared from the beginning,” he said.
“At United, the situation is different; it is very difficult to do something with the team that Ten Hag has at the moment.”
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