Zidane breaks cover by attending training session as Erik ten Hag fights for Man Utd job

Zinedine Zidane was surprisingly spotted at a Real Betis training session while speculation continues to fuel about Erik ten Hag‘s future at Manchester United. The French football legend, who has only ever managed Real Madrid, led the Spanish giants to two La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies during his two stints at the club.

Despite stepping down for the second time in 2021 – succeeded by Carlo Ancelotti – and persistent rumors linking him with the United job and the French national team, Zidane has chosen to stay away from management. But after a period of time out of the limelight, the 52-year-old was seen at a Real Betis training session on Wednesday (September 4), where his son, Elyaz, was training with the first team at the Ciudad Deportiva Luis del Sol for the first time, reports the Manchester Evening News.

The 18-year-old left Real Madrid after 11 years to join Betis under the management of ex-Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini earlier this year. He was under the watchful eye of his legendary father in sunny Seville.

Despite Zidane showing no immediate interest in a managerial comeback, he could be tempted by the Manchester United role given Erik ten Hag‘s tricky start to the season. With three games played in the league, United have already suffered two defeats, notably being humiliated 3-0 at home by Liverpool.

Adding to Ten Hag’s woes, Cristiano Ronaldo took what seemed like a veiled swipe at his former coach before Portugal’s Nations League match. Ronaldo, whose fraught relationship with Ten Hag led to his second Old Trafford exit, remarked: “Until the end of my career, I will always have the mindset that I will be a starter. I will always respect the decisions, not only of the coach, but at the clubs I played for I have always respected them… once or twice, they also behaved badly towards me (laughs).”

He continued: “But seriously, whenever there is professional ethics, I will always respect the coaches’ decisions. When it goes against professional ethics, there can always be controversy, but that’s separate.”

As the international break concludes, Manchester United look to rally on September 14th against Southampton in hopes of turning their fortunes around. Ten Hag’s side have scored just two goals this season and will hope to reintroduce Rasmus Hojlund into the fray with the striker currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.