Man United ‘want Zinedine Zidane’ to become their next manager as Sir Jim Ratcliffe ‘dreams of appointing the Frenchman’ to become Erik ten Hag’s successor

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ‘dream’ is to make Zinedine Zidane Manchester United’s next permanent manager at the club, according to reports.

The new United investor who recently acquired a 27.7% stake in the club in exchange for £1.3bn has been quick to start making changes behind-the-scenes at Old Trafford.

Ratcliffe and his INEOS team have already appointed Manchester City executive Omar Berrada as the club’s new CEO and are trying to secure Dan Ashworth’s exit from Newcastle in the hopes of making him a sporting director.

Erik ten Hag is currently in the managerial hotseat at the 13-time Premier League champions but pressure has been mounting amid suggestions Ratcliffe could look to replace him in the summer.

Zidane is the British billionaire’s ideal replacement for Ten Hag and the club would be keen to bring in the Frenchman if he wanted the job, as reported by Foot Mercato.

Ratcliffe’s investment in Manchester United was recently approved by the FA and the Premier League

Ratcliffe could opt for a new manager to overhaul Manchester United’s squad in the summer

The main issue for United is that Zidane has rebuffed attempts from other clubs since departing Real Madrid following his second managerial stint at the club three-years ago.

Madrid remain the only team Zidane has managed since retiring from his legendary playing career in 2006 after that year’s FIFA World Cup.

The 51-year-old first began his management career with Real Madrid’s B team before being promoted into the first-team position in 2016 and re-appointed to the role in 2019.

Zidane’s outstanding success delivered Madrid two LaLiga and Spanish Super Cup titles, three Champions League’s and other major team honours.

Zidane could be brought in to replace Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford in the summer

His second managerial spell in Spain’s capital came to a disappointing end as Zidane sought to leave following a league title race that Madrid lost out in to Atletico on the final day of the season.

United want to tempt the France World Cup winner to Old Trafford in the summer and believe he can help build a long-term project of success at the club.

However, Zidane recently revealed he could see himself managing in Italy one day where he previously starred as a player at Juventus. 

‘Coaching in Italy? Why not. Anything can happen, at the moment I’m doing something else, but I’m sure I’ll be back on the bench, I’d like to,’ he told Sky Sports.