NOT ZI MAN
Zinedine Zidane reveals why he won’t become Man Utd manager and says ‘I work in a different way’
United chiefs have given Ten Hag their full support
ZINEDINE ZIDANE has revealed why he does not want to become Manchester United manager.
The 52-year-old has been out of the dugout since 2021 when his second spell in charge of Real Madrid ended.
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Despite being away from the game for three years, he continues to be linked with top jobs such as Man Utd, Bayern Munich and the French national team.
But Zidane has lifted the lid on why he does not see a move to Old Trafford as an option.
He told L'Equipe: "Would I want to go to Manchester? 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.
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"Many elements come into play in order to win, it is a global context. I know what I need to win."
Zidane speaks Spanish and Italian fluently.
For now, Man Utd are not on the lookout for a new manager after Erik ten Hag signed a new contract in the summer.
The Dutchman came close to losing his job as club chiefs spoke to other bosses including Thomas Tuchel.
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Zidane's managerial career
In four years at Real Madrid:
- 2x LaLiga
- 2x Supercopa de Espana
- 3x Champions League
- 2x Super Cup
- 2x Club World Cup
Pressure is already starting to mount on Ten Hag, with United 14th and on a -3 goal difference in the Premier League after three games.
But the club are sticking by him and he has the full support of chiefs Omar Berrada and Dan Ashworth.
'Man Utd have wrong bald Dutch manager' - how Slot schooled Ten Hag at Old Trafford
Berrada said: "Do we still believe in Erik? Absolutely. We think Erik is the right coach for us and we’re fully backing him.”
“In terms of the contract, that was a decision that was taken prior to both of our arrivals - but we’re very happy with that decision.
“Erik has our full backing and we have worked very closely together in this transfer window.
“We’re going to continue working very closely to help him get the best results out of the team.”
Ashworth added: “I’ve really enjoyed working with Erik for the last eight weeks.
“My job is to support him in every way I can whether that’s operationally with recruitment, whether that’s medical, with psychology, or training ground flow.
“It’s to take as much of that off him to allow him to fully focus on the training pitch and the match plan to deliver success.”
Ten Hag's five worst defeats
ERIK TEN HAG has suffered some heavy defeats during his tenure as Manchester United manager.
5. Copenhagen 4-3 Man Utd, November 2023
The damaging defeat saw the Red Devils dumped out of the Champions League.
4. Man Utd 0-3 Bournemouth, December 2023
It was the first time the Cherries had ever won at Old Trafford with the players being booed off.
3. Brentford 4-0 Man Utd, August 2022
Perhaps a sign of things to come, in Ten Hag's second Premier League game, his side was dismantled by the Bees.
2. Crystal Palace 4-0 Man Utd, May 2024
The heavy defeat to the Eagles saw the Dutchman edge ever closer to the sack.
1. Liverpool 7-0 Man Utd, March 2023
Man Utd were embarrassed at the hands of their bitter rivals as they crumbled at Anfield as it was the club's worst defeat in 92 years.
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