Zinedine Zidane changes stance on replacing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford
According to reports, Zinedine Zidane is becoming more interested in replacing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United, but one major obstacle still stands in his way.
The Red Devils have had a difficult start to the season, picking up just four points from the last 18 available in their last six Premier League outings, raising serious doubts about Solskjaer’s future.
United’s board is still believed to be backing the under-pressure Norwegian, but they have compiled a list of potential replacements in case they need to pull the trigger.
After the international break, Solskjaer will face a grueling schedule that includes away trips to Villarreal and Chelsea before a resurgent Arsenal visits Old Trafford in early December.
If their form does not improve, there are three main candidates to replace Solskjaer: Brendan Rodgers, the manager of Leicester City, Erik ten Hag, the head coach of Ajax, and Zidane.
Given that he is currently without a club, the Frenchman is by far the most attainable of the three, though he has previously expressed reluctance to take over at Old Trafford.
However, according to the Daily Record, United intermediaries have made progress in their efforts to persuade the former Real Madrid manager to replace Solskjaer.
Zidane is becoming more ‘attracted’ to the prospect of taking over, especially since the squad includes two of his former Real Madrid charges in Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane, as well as a player he has long coveted: compatriot Paul Pogba.
United are hoping that the strength of their squad – and the presence of two of Zidane’s Madrid generals – will overcome Zidane’s reservations, which include his limited command of English.
However, one major impediment remains: Zidane’s wife, Veronique, is not interested in living in Manchester and would prefer that her husband take a longer break before returning to football.
That would also tie in with Zidane’s ambition of eventually succeeding Didier Deschamps as France manager after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, while the PSG job would also be appealing to him.
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Zinedine Zidane changes stance on replacing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford
